Seven Chinese kidnapped by suspected terrorists in June at the Shiroro mining site in Niger State have been rescued by personnel of Nigerian Air Force in Birnin Gwari, Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, an official has said.
The Combat Search and Rescue operation, which consisted of 35 Special Forces was conducted in the cover of night at Kanfani Doka and Gwaska general Areas leading to the terrorists abandoning their enclaves, weapons and kidnapped Chinese victims while fleeing for their lives due to the superior fire power of the special forces.
In a statement on Saturday, the air force said special forces under the 271 NAF detachment in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna, carried out the rescue operation in the early hours of Saturday.
“The combat search and rescue operation, which consisted of 35 Special Forces, was conducted in the cover of night at Kanfani Doka and Gwaska general areas leading to the terrorists abandoning their enclaves, weapons and the kidnapped Chinese victims while fleeing for their lives due to the superior firepower of the special forces,” the statement reads.
“After the successful operations, the 7 Chinese victims were flown to the 271 NAF Detachment Medical Centre for evaluation where 2 of the victims were stabilised.
“Subsequently, the 7 victims were flown to the NAF Base Medical Hospital, Kaduna, for further medical investigations.
“The chief of air staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, has since congratulated the commander of the 271 NAF Detachment, Birnin Gwari, and his men for their continued determination and commitment, even in the face of danger, as they make inroad into the final fringes of terrorists’ enclaves in Kaduna State and the north-west in general.”
