President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday promised that his government would do everything possible to rescue those abducted in an attack on a mining site in Shiroro Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State. In a statement signed on Friday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President described the attack as a direct assault on Nigeria which will not be allowed to go unpunished. He also paid tributes to the military personnel who lost their lives repelling the attack saying their effort will not be in vain. We honour our security forces, and particularly those brave souls who have given their lives fighting against the evil that is terrorism. They constitute the best that Nigeria has to offer and we remember each of them. “Sadly, Nigeria’s fight against terrorism continues. It is a battle that is taking its toll on all of us. But we shall not relent, nor shall we surrender.
“We say it again that we have reduced Boko Haram to a shell of its former self. But terrorists are parasites. They thrive when the world is suffering.
“This atrocity only serves to further strengthen us against them. Nigeria is united in obliterating these demons. Each day we grow closer to that goal. When they lash out during times of global suffering it is the act of a cornered animal, an act of desperation.
“As always, their goal is the same: to sow fear and division amongst us. We will not let them.
“Instead let us pray for the families and loved ones of those who sacrificed their lives in the fight against evil, and let us pray for the safe and speedy return of those abducted. We will do everything possible to ensure their return.
“And to the sadists, I say this: we are coming. No matter what rock you crawl under, what hole you sink into, what lie you hide behind, we are coming and we will find you. Shiroro will see justice. Nigeria will know peace,” the President assured.
Similarly, the Nigerian Army, in a statement issued by its Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, said some bandits were also gunned down during the attack.
“Sadly, a number of personnel paid the supreme price in the fierce firefight that ensued.
“Subsequently, the location has been reinforced and troops are on the trail of the criminals with some already neutralized.
“The GOC 1 Division has moved to the location to take charge of the follow up operations”, the statement added.