Troops still searching for abducted NDA Major – DHQ

…says ‘personnel monitoring CCTV not asleep during bandits’ attack’

Defence Headquarters say troops are still in pursuit of the bandits who attacked the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, in the early hours of Tuesday and kidnapped an Army officer, Major Christopher Datong, vowing to bring to book all those involved “in the dastardly act.”

During the attack, the gunmen, however, killed two other officers and seriously injured another.

The DHQ gave this assurance just as it insisted that personnel in charge of the Closed Circuit Television monitoring room at the NDA were awake during the bandits’ invasion of the institution.

The statement, on Wednesday, signed by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr, and made available to newsmen, stated, “Let me also assure that we shall continue to update the general public as events unfold, as we are all aware, the search and rescue of the abducted officer is still on. Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue with its operations to ensure all those involved in the dastardly act are brought to justice.”

It, however, denied reports that the personnel on duty monitoring the CCTV were asleep when the bandits struck, saying that “the allegation is untrue.”

According to the statement, “It is perhaps important to mention that the AFN as a professional force consist of highly trained personnel who are dedicated to their duties of protecting lives and property of all Nigerians.

“Let me use this opportunity, to reiterate that the NDA authorities, acting on the directive of the Chief of Defence Staff has constituted a board of enquiry to ascertain the remote and immediate cause(s) of the breach of security with a view to sanctioning any personnel found culpable and also prevent future occurrence.

“Let me also assure that we shall continue to update the general public as events unfold as we are all aware the search and rescue of the abducted officer is still on.

“Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue with its operations to ensure all those involved in the dastardly act are brought to justice.”