Troops rescue officer abducted from defence academy

Troops of the Nigerian Army, Airforce and other security agencies have rescued Maj. Christopher Datong, the officer abducted at the permanent site of Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) Kaduna, on August 24.

The Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Col. Idimah Ezindu, said in a statement issued in Kaduna that the officer was rescued in the late hours of Friday, September 17.

Ezindu, “The operations, which have been 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, September 17, 2021, the troops arrived at a camp suspected to be the location where Maj CL Datong was being held. At the camp, the troops exchanged fire with the bandits for overwhelmed them superior fire.

“In the process, the gallant troops were able to rescue the abducted officer. However, the officer sustained a minor injury but 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 , Nigerian 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 officers in the NDA on 24 August 2021.”