Troops rescue Army Major kidnapped during NDA attack: Spokesman

Troops of the Nigerian security forces have rescued Major Christopher Datong, abducted on August 24 by bandits who attacked Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) Kaduna.

Mr Datong, however, sustained some injury during the military operation leading to his rescue, said a spokesman for the NDA, Colonel Ezindu Idimah.

In a statement issued by Mr Idimah in Kaduna, the army said the officer was rescued in the late hours of Friday, September 17 and has been taken for medical attention.

The rescue mission followed a directive of the Chief of Defence Staff that Mr Datong be delivered and his captors apprehended, the spokesman said.

He said joint operatives of the Nigerian security agencies including the military, State Security Service and the police then swung into action, combing the Afaka area of Kaduna.

Mr Idimah explained that the operations were conducted based on several leads received from various sources regarding the abductors, and likely locations the officer was held.

He said the sustained operations led to the destruction of several identified bandits’ camps in the Afaka-Birnin Gwari general area, and the neutralisation of scores of bandits, particularly in the late hours of September 17.

He said upon arrival at a camp suspected to be the location where Mr Datong was being held, the troops exchanged fire with the bandits and in the process, the abducted officer was rescued.

“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 neutralise the assailants that killed two officers in the NDA on 24 August 2021,” Mr Idimah said.

The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Defence Academy, Major Bashir Jajira, also confirmed the rescue of the officer.

On Aug 24, daredevil bandits invaded the NDA, Nigeria’s prime military training institute, killing at least two officers in their residences and abducting Mr Datong.

Credit: PG