Nigerian Army Major regains freedom three weeks after abduction
The Senior Army officer, Major Stephen Dantong, who was abducted by bandits in attack launched at the Nigerian Defence Academy (ND) Kaduna, and in captivity for three weeks has regained freedom.
Penpushing reports that the Deputy Director Army Public Relations Officer, Defence Headquarters, Colonel Ezindu Idimah, made this known in a statement explaining that, Dantong was rescued following collaborative efforts by security agents.
The statement which did not say whether ransom was paid for the army officer to regain freedom, said the Division in conjunction with the Air Task Force, Department of State Services and other security agencies, conducted operations in the Afaka general area to find and rescue the officer.
Penpushing further reports that, in the statement made available on Saturday, the Defence headquarters said its men engaged the bandits in superior gunfire before rescuing the Army Major
‘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’, the statement stated ‘
‘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 for overwhelmed them superior fire’, the statement said.
‘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’,Idimah wrote.
‘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. Our operations will continue until we capture or neutralize the assailants that killed two (2) officers in the NDA on 24 August 2021’, the statement reads.
FOOTNOTE: You want to share story with us? You want to advertise with us? You need publicity for product, or service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348073463653 or email [email protected]
