The Nigerian army says its troops operating under the auspices of Operation Hadarin Daji have rescued two teachers and five students after a fierce exchange of fire with the terrorists that had invaded a Federal Government College on Thursday in northeastern Kebbi State.
Meanwhile, the army in a statement on Friday by Onyema Nwachukwu, director army public relations observed that a female student was discovered dead during the exchange and noted that she had died as a result of exhaustion.
“The rescue followed an initial encounter with the abductors in the early hours of today 18 June 2021 after trailing the kidnappers from Yawuri through Riyao to Sombo community, where the kidnappers who had split into two groups fled, with one group conveying the abducted children , while the second group conveyed rustled cattle”.
Nwachukwu, a Brigadier General in the statement also observed that “the land troops in conjunction with elements of the Nigerian Air Force, who provided close air support during the rescue mission intercepted the two groups at about 2.30 am and engaged them in a fire fight leading to the successful rescue of the teachers and students. The troops also recovered 800 cattle rustled by the bandits.
“The gallant troops are still on the heels of the kidnappers in order to rescue the remaining abductees still in captivity.
“Sadly, a casualty was recorded during the exchange. A female student was found to have given up the ghost as a result of exhaustion. The rescued teachers and students will be handed over to the Kebbi State Government.
“The Nigerian Army appreciates the cooperation so far from good spirited citizens and wish to solicit for more. The Chief of Army Staff Maj Gen Faruk Yahaya has directed the Commander to spare no effort until all the abducted persons are safely rescued and reunited with their loved ones.”
ARISE News had earlier reported that the heavily armed terrorists had invaded the school and kidnapped 40 pupils as well as some teachers.
The bandits killed a policeman during the raid on the school.
They were said to have raided the school in the early morning hours of thursday and conveyed their victims in a bus belonging to a parent after killing a policeman and injuring one pupil.
By Abel Ejikeme
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