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 Aug. 24.
The Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Col. Ezindu Idimah, said, in a statement issued in Kaduna, that the officer was rescued in the late hours of Friday, Sept.17.
He said the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs had earlier issued a directive after the abduction of the officer, that he be rescued and his abductors, fished out.
The spokesperson said sequel to the directive, the 1 Division, in conjunction with the Air Task Force, Department of State Services and other security agencies, swung into action by conducting operations in the Afaka general area of Kaduna, to locate and rescue the officer.
Idimah stated that the operations were sustained since the abduction of the officer, resulting in 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 Sept 17.
He said upon arrival at a camp suspected to be the location where Datong was being held, the troops exchanged fire with the bandits and in the process, the abducted officer was rescued.
However, he said the officer sustained a minor injury, but had been treated in a medical facility and handed over to NDA for further action.
