Major Christopher Datong ‘Found Dead’ After Bandits Abducted Him From NDA

Major Christopher Datong has reportedly been found dead after bandits abducted him during an attack at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Afaka, Kaduna State.

KanyiDaily had reported how bandits attacked the Defence Academy where two officers were killed and another abducted around 1:00 am on Tuesday morning.

The bandits subsequently made contact with the NDA authorities to demand N200 million ransom for the release of Major Christopher Dantong who was abducted during the attack.

However, multiple reports on Wednesday morning indicates that Major Dantong was found dead on Tuesday evening after his abductors reportedly demanded N200 million to set him free.

Abducted Major Christopher Datong Still Alive

Although the NDA is yet to address the report of Datong’s death, the Foundation For Investigative Journalism (FIJ) has confirmed that the Major is still alive.

According to FIJ, Major Datong wa still alive as of 10pm on Tuesday — hours after the supposed death was reported — both his family and the NDA got proof of life from his captors.

It was gathered that the abductors spoke with two different members of his extended family, both women, and they asked Major Datong to name someone he trusted the most whom they could talk to, and he did.

A source very close to the family told FIJ on Wednesday morning that the bandits have refused to talk to anyone else except the negotiator Datong named. (FIJ did name the person in order not to compromise the negotiations).

“Every call they make, they give Datong the phone to talk to his self-appointed negotiator, just so that we have a proof of life,” the source said.

“He is alive. This much I can confirm. As of 10pm on Tuesday, he was still alive — and this was hours after the circulation of reports of his death.”

A senior source in the NDA told FIJ,  “They are unhappy with the way information has been leaking, so they are determined to control information.

“The Army is very closely monitoring the situation but it does not want to use force because of the high chance of collateral damage,” the source added.

KanyiDaily had reported how the personnel monitoring CCTV camera at the Nigerian Defence Academy were asleep when bandits attacked the premises.