The troops of the 1 Division of the Nigerian Army in collaboration with sister agencies have rescued Major Christopher Datong who was abducted from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) on August 24.
In the process, scores of bandits were neutralised in their camps at Afaka – Birni Gwari general area, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Colonel Ezindu Idima, said in a statement.
The statement read in part: “Following the directive of the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs for 1 Division, Nigerian Army in conjunction with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and all security agencies to conduct decisive operations to rescue Major Christopher Datong, who was abducted at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) permanent site on 24 August, 2021 and find the perpetrators dead or alive, 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 were being conducted based on several leads received from various sources regarding the abductors and likely locations the officer was being held.
“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 Friday, September 17, 2021.
“The troops arrived at a camp suspected to be the location where Major Datong was being held. At the camp, the troops exchanged fire with the bandits overwhelmed them with 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.”
