Nigerian Army troops operating under the auspices of ‘Operation Hadarin Daji’ who have been on a hot pursuit of kidnappers and bandits following an unfortunate abduction incident in Federal Government College, Birnin Yawuri yesterday, rescued two teachers and five students after a fierce exchange of fire with the criminals.
The rescue followed an initial encounter with the abductors in the early hours of today June 18, 2021 after trailing the kidnappers from Yawuri through Riyao to Sombo community, where the abductors who had split into two groups fled, with one group conveying the abducted children , while the second group conveyed rustled cattle.
According to the new army spokesman, Brog. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, “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 a.m 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”.
About 70 students and four teachers of the Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri, were kidnapped by bandits in Birnin Kebbi.
An eyewitness, said that the bandits invaded the school yesterday at around 10.00 a.m.
He had added that the bandits, who were about 100 in number, were shooting sporadically, while two students got injured, and a police officer was killed.