Gunmen attacked a five-star hotel in Mali's capital Bamako on Friday and are holding 170 hostages, witnesses said.

Attackers shouting "Allahu Akbar" opened fire outside the Radisson Blu Hotel in the centre of the capital before storming it.

Automatic weapon fire could be heard from outside the 190-room hotel where security forces set up a security cordon.

Speaking to Al Jazeera by phone from Bamako, business owner Garba Konate said a group of attackers showed up about three hours earlier.

"About 10 gunmen arrived early in the morning and shot all the guards in front of the Radisson," Konate said.

One of the guests reportedly staying at the hotel is Nigerian Aliko Dangote - the richest person in Africa.

"I started hearing gunshots coming from the hotel," said Ibrahim, 28, who works at a cultural centre 40 metres away from the hotel.

"Soon after I saw one of the guards running out, injured... The security guard told me the shooters were so quick that he doesn't even know how many came in," he told Al Jazeera.

The hotel's owner said it "is aware of the hostage-taking that is ongoing at the property today... As per our information two persons have locked in 140 guests and 30 employees," the company said in a statement.

The shooting follows a 24-hour siege and hostage-taking situation at another hotel in August in the central Malian town of Sevare.

Four soldiers, five UN workers, and four attackers were killed in that attack.

Armed groups have continued to wage attacks in Mali despite a June peace deal between former Tuareg rebels in the north of the country and rival pro-government armed groups.

Northern Mali fell in March-April 2012 to al-Qaeda-linked groups long concentrated in the area before being removed by a France-led military operation launched in January 2013.

Despite the peace deal, large swathes of Mali remain beyond the control of government and foreign forces.


http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/11/gunmen-hostages-mali-hotel-reports-151120084719883.html

Amen oo. Rest in peace to the late ones




FTC
Chocolate cream

Unfortunately Nigerian government can't help out

I pray this report be false. Even If its true, may he not be hurt in any way.

This is scary. Hope it comes out untrue.

Feel am.


When people who are concerned keep quiet about terrorism by their brothers, they shouldn't complain when it finally gets to them.

May God save him and the Rest.....

Our very own Aliko Dangote?
I am not bluffing o, but if anything happens to that man, you will see the real UNITY in NIGERIA.
both Boko Haram and Nigeria Army will collaborate to deal with you guys.

Poor Dangote! Running away from Boko Haram back home and bn held hostage by another group of terrorist outside Nigeria. May God set him free.

Modify: congrats to Dangote as he's not among d hostages. May God deliver those still held hostage.

Please and please, nothing should do our richest man inin Africa.

you care to remove your tummy fat, click my signature for more info

Boys are not smiling everywhere, time to collect their own share. Wrong way sha.
Dangote we pray for your safety return.
Click like to agree to the prayer

Bad news again today?? Buhari is turning out to be the real BADLUCK as the days roll by

This is crazy omg.

BUHARIIIII.


don't quote me try and see what happens

God have mercy on him

Tell me it is not truth #prayfordangote #prayformali

I hope it is not true o! God would save him




..........But then, E no concern me afterall his company refused to employ a brother last year

Let it not be true o. Let's continue to pray for Dangote.

Nothing should happen to Africa's Richest Man o

Modified: Mod why u change am na?

Ewoo

ENDTIMES

Gobe

Hmmm

everywhere

For real Wait let me consult ayelala for answers...

damn!

May God protect Aliko Dangote.

...dreamt about him

God help this troubled world of ours

na wao

See stupid journalism from Al Jazeera.

The militant might have no idea he was there and he might be in hiding from the sect.

Thanks to Aljazeera,A manhunt will be going now on him and he has a high percentage of being killed has that will elevate and boost the morale of the sect which might lead to war.

Aljazeera, dangote's blood will be on your hard if he dies from your silly mistake

Hmm... Ten gun men

this is not happening

Boko man