Suspected bandits killed one mobile policeman on guard and abducted four others during a raid at a mining site on Wednesday in Zamafara State.
An eyewitness, Salisu Lawali, told journalists that the bandits who raided the mining site in Sunke village, Anka LGA, freed the police officers the following day (Thursday) after disarming them.
Mr Lawali said: “I don’t think there was any negotiation, because the abducted policemen just returned to the site unhurt, the only thing missing were their guns which they said were in the custody of their abductors.”
Chairman of Anka local government area, Mustapha Gado, confirmed the incident.
“The Divisional Police officer of the local government told me that the officers were released but their rifles were still in the custody of the bandits.
“We have earlier ordered for the closure of all the goldmines, but the foreign expatriates can still be found because their machineries are stationed at the sites.
“We consulted the relevant authorities on the need to close down the sites and we got approval, we served them with quit notice but those operating the sites sourced for security operatives to man the sites for them,” Mr Gado said.
The police in the state could not be reached for comments on the matter.
