Major Christopher Datong Regains Freedom 24 Days After Bandits Abducted Him At NDA

Major Christopher Datong has finally regained his freedom after he was abducted last month by bandits who attacked the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna State.

KanyiDaily had reported how bandits attacked the Defence Academy around 1 am on August 24, 2021, killing two officers and abducting Major Datong.

It was gathered that the bandits subsequently made contact with the NDA authorities to demand N200 million ransom for the release of the abducted major.

Major Datong has been in the kidnapper’s den till he was rescued on Friday, September 17, by the troops of the Nigerian Army, Air Force and other security agencies.

The Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Col Ezindu Idimah, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday night in Kaduna.

How Major Christopher Datong Was Rescued Alive

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

The Army spokesmen said 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.

He commended the efforts of the NAF, DSS, Nigerian Police and “patriotic Nigerians” for their invaluable support which contributed to the success of this operation.

He said their operations will continue until they capture or neutralize the assailants that killed two (2) officers in the NDA.

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