LOKOJA — In a brazen attack on Monday, July 30, 2024, two Chinese nationals were abducted by gunmen at a mining site in Zango City, on the outskirts of Lokoja, Kogi State.
The raid, which lasted approximately 45 minutes, resulted in the deaths of three vigilante members and two mining staff, NewsBand reports.
According to eyewitness accounts, over 20 heavily armed men descended on the mining site, unleashing a barrage of gunfire from a hilly area behind Al Azhar International School.
The attackers, described as bearded and heavily armed, caused widespread panic, leading local residents to close their shops and flee for safety.
A local hunter, who requested anonymity, recounted his role in evacuating the bodies of the deceased vigilantes, identified as Abdulazeez, Tijani, and Yusuf.
“It was a terrifying scene. We managed to recover the bodies of our fallen vigilante members and the mining staff,” he said.
Despite the severity of the incident, police authorities in Kogi State have yet to issue an official statement regarding the attack and abduction.
The lack of a prompt response has left the community in a state of anxiety, with many calling for increased security measures in the region.
The abduction of the Chinese nationals adds to a growing list of security concerns in Nigeria, where kidnappings for ransom have become increasingly common, particularly in areas with foreign investments and expatriate presence.
