The Nigerian Army has confirmed rescuing 800 cows during its operation to rescue the kidnapped students and teachers of the Federal Government College, Birnin Yawuri, Kebbi State.
The pupils were abducted on June 17 but the military said two teachers and five students were rescued on Friday after a fierce exchange of fire with the criminals.
File photo used to illustrate story.
In a statement on Friday, the Army Spokesman, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, said troops operating under the auspices of Operation Hadarin Daji who had been on the pursuit of kidnappers and bandits engaged in the rescue mission.
He said 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 kidnappers who had split into two groups fled, with one group conveying the abducted children, while the second group conveyed the rustled cattle.
Nwachukwu added that the land troops, in conjunction with the Nigerian Air Force elements, who provided close air support during the rescue mission, intercepted the two groups at about 2.30 am and engaged them in a firefight.
He said, "The troops also recovered 800 cattle rustled by the bandits. However, the gallant troops are still on the kidnappers' heels 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 wishes to solicit more.
"The Chief of the Army Staff, Maj Gen Farouk Yahaya, has directed the Commander to spare no effort until all the abducted persons are safely rescued and reunited with their loved ones."
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