Major Christopher Datong, the officer abducted by bandits during an attack on Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) facility in Kaduna on August 234 has been rescued by security operatives. On Friday night, Deputy Director Army Public Relations 1 Division, Nigerian Army Colonel Ezindu Idimah, said Datong was rescued by troops. He said the operation was conducted based on several leads received from various sources regarding the abductors, and the possible location of where the abducted officer was being kept. According to Idimah, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Service Chiefs had earlier issued a directive after the abduction of the officer, that he be rescued and his abductors fished out. Giving details about the rescue mission he said, several identified bandits’ camps were destroyed in Afaka-Birnin Gwari areas of the state. While scores of bandits were neutralized, particularly in the late hours of September 17, 2021. He said the Division in liaison with the Air Task Force, Department of State Services, and other security agencies, immediately swung into action.
“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 today, 17 September 2021, the troops arrived at a camp suspected to be the location where Maj CL Datong was being held. At the camp, the troops exchange fire with the bandits and 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 he has been treated in a medical facility and handed over to NDA for further action,” he said.
“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.
