Emerging reports indicate that more bodies of soldiers and police officers killed during an ambush by terrorists at Shiroro, Niger State, have been recovered.
Sani Kokki, the convener of Concerned Shiroro Youths of Niger State, on Sunday disclosed that the death toll has risen to 48.
“Based on thorough and reliable local findings as at this (Saturday) evening, the death toll has risen to 48.
“The breakdown as at last count shows that 34 soldiers have been confirmed dead, eight mobile policemen have been confirmed dead and six locals have been confirmed dead,” Kokki said.
The soldiers were ambushed by gunmen while responding to a distress call following an attack on a mining site in the community.
After killing the officers and the locals, the assailants abducted some of the miners.
Reacting to the attack, President Muhammdu Buhari said his government would hunt down the terrorists and make them face the law. He described the attack as an assault on the nation.
According to Sani Kokki, the convener of Concerned Shiroro Youths of Niger State, who made it known in Minna on Sunday, more bodies are being discovered by locals.
Kokki stated that the body of a mobile police officer was recovered in the bush by residents on Saturday evening.
“Yesterday evening, a dead body of a mobile policeman was discovered by a passerby local around a nearby bush not too far from the crime scene,” he said.
“Based on thorough and reliable local findings as at this evening, the death toll has risen to 48,” Kokki said.
