Gunmen kidnap 4 Chinese workers from Nigeria mine
- Some security personnel were also killed in the attacked in Ajata Aboki village in Shiroro region of Niger state
- Chinese employees working on mines and large infrastructure projects in remote areas are often targeted for kidnapping
Gunmen have attacked a mine in central Nigeria, killing some security personnel and kidnapping four Chinese nationals and other workers, a state security official said on Thursday.
Kidnapping for ransom has become a major problem in northwest and central Nigeria, where heavily-armed criminal gangs known as bandits target communities, schools and businesses for abductions.
Chinese employees working on mines and large infrastructure projects in remote areas are often targeted for kidnapping, and usually released after a short period in captivity.
Gunmen attacked the mine in Ajata Aboki village in Shiroro region of Niger state on Wednesday afternoon, the local commissioner for security, Emmanuel Umar said in a statement.
“A yet to be ascertained number of workers in the mining site, including four Chinese nationals, were reported to have been abducted,” the statement said.
It said some of the attackers were also killed.
“Security forces mobilised reinforcement for the manhunt of the remaining terrorists.”