Recover 800 cows also
Cheering news has come the way of Kebbi State government and families of the students and teachers abducted on Thursday by unknown gunmen from Federal Government College (FCG) in Birnin Yawuri.
The Nigerian Army said troops, operating under the auspices of Operation Hadarin Daji, have been on hot pursuit of kidnappers and bandits with two Teachers and five students already rescued after a fierce exchange of fire with the criminals.
A statement signed by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu said; “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.”
According to Brigadier 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 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 Army Spokesman explained that 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.”
Collaborating the Army statement, Special Adviser to Kebbi State Governor on Security, Major Rabiu Kamba Rtd, said a teacher and eight students out of those abducted by bandits on Thursday at the College were rescued.
Major Kamba told newsmen in Yauri, that those rescued were in the Military custody at Dirin Daji and arrangement was for government to receive them for onward reunion with their respective families.
Armed bandits, numbering over one hundred and fifty on motorcycles, had invaded the College on Thursday at about 12:30 in the evening.
In the process, a yet to be ascertained number of students and staff were abducted from the School.
