by Peregba Jerry
An officer at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Kaduna, Major Christopher Datong, who was abducted by bandits during the August 24 attack on the premier military institution, has regained freedom.
This was contained in a statement by Colonel Ezindu Idimah, Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 1 Division, Nigerian Army on Friday night.
Idimah disclosed the officer was rescued after troops engaged the bandits in a gun duel.
He added Major Datong has been reunited with the NDA.
He noted the operations will continue until the assailants that killed two other officers during the attack were captured or neutralised.
Narrating how the troops executed the operation, the statement reads in part: “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 exchanged fire with the bandits (and) overwhelmed them (with) superior fire.
“In the process, the gallant troops were able to rescue the abducted officer.”
