The Nigerian Army officer abducted from the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA, Major Christopher Datong, has regained his freedom after about twenty-five days in captivity.
His rescue came after a directive of the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs for 1 Division Nigerian Army in conjunction with the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, to ensure that the officer was rescued.
A press release, signed by the Deputy Director, Public Relations, 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Col. Ezindu Idimah, stated that all security agencies conducted decisive operations to rescue Major Datong, who was abducted at the permanent site of theNigerian Defence Academy, NDA, on 24 August 2021.
The Division, in conjunction with the Air Task Force, the Department of State Services, DSS, and other security agencies, immediately swung into action by conducting operations in the Afaka general area to find and rescue the officer.
The statement further read that operations were conducted based on several leads received from various sources regarding the abductors and the likely locations the officer was being held.
It added, “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 17 September, 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, but overwhelmed them by 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 the NDA for further action”.
The Division commended the efforts of the NAF, the DSS, the 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.”
