NDA Attack: Details On How Troops Stormed Bandits Camp, Rescue Major Datong Emerges

Details have emerged on how troops of the Nigerian Military and other security agencies had carried out the rescue of Major Christopher Datong who was abducted by bandits terrorists from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.

It may be recalled that daredevil terrorists had attacked the NDA in Afaka on August 24, 2021, killing two officers and abducting Datong.

A source have now revered that no ransom was paid for the rescue of the senior military officer.

According to the source, a joint military operation comprising troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army Headquarters, Kaduna in conjunction with the Air Task Force, Department of State Services and other security agencies that dislodged bandits’ camp in the Afaka- Birnin Gwari general area succeeded in rescuing Major Datong.

“After the Major was abducted and probably because news was going round that the major had been killed, the bandits contacted the academy. The authorities of the NDA spoke with him but no ransom was demanded,” the source told DailyTrust.

“After the call, the authorities started tracking the phone but the bandits destroyed it for fear of being tracked and nothing was heard from them again until this operation. The zeal of the commandant of the academy to rescue the major was responsible for this success as he had shown to be a great leader.”

Asked if Major Datong is back to the NDA, the source said: “He is still in the hospital receiving treatment from an injury he incurred during exchange of fire between troops and the bandits.”

Recall that in a statement to newsmen last Friday, Deputy Director Army Public Relations 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Colonel Ezindu Idimah, had confirmed Datong’s rescue by troops.

He said the operations leading to his rescue led to the destruction of several identified bandits’ camps in Afaka- Birnin Gwari areas of the state.

According to Idimah, scores of bandits were killed during the operation, particularly, in the late hours of September 17, 2021.

He said 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 after a directed by the Chief of Army Staff.

“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 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,” he said.