News
DHQ Launches Rescue Operation For Abducted Major
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has hinted that troops are on the trail of the bandits that invaded the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna State.
Bandits, who have been abducting students in public schools in the state, attacked the Academy in the wee hours of yesterday, killing two officers and abducting one.
The DHQ, in a statement by the Director Defence Information, Major General Benjamin Sawyer, assured troops are combing the entire location in search and rescue mission.
It said, “The gallant troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), in joint operations are in hot pursuit of armed bandits that attacked the officers’ quarters of the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), in Kaduna early hours of August 24, 2021.
“The bandits who sneaked in after breaching the perimeter fence went straight to the officer’s living quarters and started shooting sporadically.
“Unfortunately, two brave and gallant officers paid the supreme price while 1 other officer was abducted by the bandits during the process.
“All efforts have been intensified by troops who are currently combing the entire locations in search and rescue mission for the abducted officers.
“The Commandant NDA as well as the HQ 1Div with the support of NAF are presently in a coordinated joint operations to search and rescue the abducted officer and arrest the perpetrators”.
The statement added, “The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) wishes to use this medium to condole with the families of the deceased officers, thanked troops for their quick response.
‘’The CDS also wishes to assure the NDA communities of their safety as security have been beefed up while operations are ongoing in the general area. Further details will be released later”.
Reacting, the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has confirmed, yesterday’s security breach.
A large number of bandits attacked the NDA campus in Afaka, Kaduna State, around 1:30am.
They were dressed in military camouflage, beat the guards, killed two officers and abducted one other.
Lieutenant Commander Wulah and Flight Lieutenant CM Okoronkwowere shot dead.
Another officer, Major Datong was kidnapped while Second Lieutenant Onah sustained gunshot wounds. He is receiving treatment.
In a statement, NDA Public Relations Officer, Major Bashir MuhdJajira, said, “we lost two personnel and one was abducted”.
The spokesman disclosed that the bandits gained access into the residential area of the Academy in Afaka.
He said the NDA, in collaboration with the 1 Division Nigerian Army, Air Training Command and other security agencies in Kaduna, have commenced pursuit of the assailants.
“The NDA community and Cadets are safe in the Academy. We assure the general public that these unknown gunmen would soon be apprehended and the abducted personnel rescued”, Jajira added.
Reacting to the incient, the former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode said the attack was an insult and a slap on the face of the Nigerian armed forces.
In a tweet, the former minister wrote, “The attack on the Nigerian Defence Academy by terrorists in which an Army officer was killed and two Majors were kidnapped is a big insult and slap on the face of the Nigerian armed forces.
“The terrorists must be hunted and killed and the two Majors must be rescued quickly and expeditiously.”
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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