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The Nigerian Army troops have rescued two teachers and five students of the abducted Federal Government Girls College, Birnin Yawuri, Kebbi after a fierce exchange of fire with the criminals.
In a statement on Friday, the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, said the Nigerian Army troops operating under the auspices of Operation Hadarin Daji had been on a hot pursuit of the kidnappers and bandits.
Nwachukwu said the rescue followed an initial encounter with the abductors in the early hours of Friday 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 and the second rustled cattle.
According to him, 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 two teachers and five 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,” he said.
The Nigerian Army appreciated the cooperation so far received 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,” he said.
Dozens of students of the Federal Government College, Birnin Yawuri, Yobe and some of their teachers were reportedly abducted by bandits on Thursday.
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