From Elohor Igbru, Abuja
Relief swept through the Nigerian Defence Academy ( NDA) on Saturday following the rescue of Major CL Datong from kidnappers who abducted him in the August 24 attack on the academy.
Details of the rescue was contained in a statement by the Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 1 Division, Col Ezindu Idimah on Saturday.
He said all security security agencies conducted decisive military operation in the Afaka general area to find and rescue the officer.
Idimah said: “Following the directive of the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs for 1 Division Nigerian Army in conjunction with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and all security agencies to conduct decisive operations to rescue Major CL Datong who was abducted at Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Permanent Site on 24 August 2021 and find the perpetrators dead or alive.
” The Division in conjunction with the Air Task Force, Department of State Services and other security agencies, immediately swung into action by conducting operations in the Afaka general area to find and rescue the officer. 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. However, the officer sustained a minor injury but has been treated in a medical facility and handed over to NDA for further action.
While thanking the collaborative agencies, Idimah said the Division will not rest until it has captured or killed all the assailants that killed two officers at the NDA.
