By Augustine Ehikioya
Major Christopher Datong who was abducted at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Permanent Site on 24 August, 2021 has been rescued by troops of the Nigerian Army in conjunction with the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 1 Division, Col. Ezindu Idimah, as obtained by Security Watch Africa (SWA), late Friday.
According to him, the successes recorded was as a result of the directive of the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs for 1 Division to find the perpetrators dead or alive.
He said “The Division in conjunction with the Air Task Force, Department of State Services and other security agencies, immediately swung into action by conducting operations in the Afaka general area to find and rescue the officer.”
The operations, he said, were being conducted based on several leads received from various sources regarding the abductors and likely locations the officer was being held.
He said the operations, which were sustained since the abduction of the officer proved quite successful and led to the destruction of several identified bandits’ camps in the Afaka-Birnin Gwari general area and neutralization of scores of bandits particularly, in the late hours of today, 17 September, 2021.
He said the troops exchanged fire with the bandits when they arrived at a camp suspected to be the location where Major Datong was being held.
The bandits, he said were overwhelmed by the superior fire of the troops.
“In the process, the gallant troops were able to rescue the abducted Officer.”
Stressing that the Officer sustained a minor injury, he said that he has been treated in a medical facility and handed over to NDA for further action.
“The Division wishes to commend the efforts of the NAF, DSS, Nigeria Police and patriotic Nigerians for their invaluable support which contributed to the success of this operation.
“Our operations will continue until we capture or neutralize the assailants that killed two (2) Officers in the NDA on 24 August, 2021.”