UPDATED: Gunmen Kill 2 Officers, Abducted One at Nigerian Defence Academy

Gunmen Kill 2 Officers, Abducted One at NDA

Suspected gunmen have reportedly killed two military officers at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), PRNigeria has learnt.

It was gathered that the gunmen, in the wee hours of Tuesday, stormed the NDA campus in Kaduna State.

Credible sources revealed that one soldier was also abducted by the gunmen, who first shot dead the two slain officers.

In an intelligence report sighted by PRNigeria, it states that: “On 24 August at about 0125hrs, bandits in their large number attacked NDA campus in Afaka. They kidnapped one officer, Major Datong while Lt Cdr Wulah and Flt CM Okoronwo were shot dead. Lt Onah sustained gunshot injury and currently receiving medical treatment at a military medical facility in NDA.”

It was gathered that two persons were arrested, though it could however not be ascertained if they are among the suspected gunmen.

The Director, Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Benjamin Sawyer, in a chat with PRNigeria, confirmed that there was a breach of security in NDA.

“Bandits at about 0215am 24 August 2021 sneaked into the large expanse of the NDA and went straight to the officer’s Quarters where they killed 2 brave officers who fought them to resist abduction. One officer was reportedly abducted.

“The Commandant NDA and staff working in synergy with HQ 1 Div and the NAF are out tracking and on search and rescue mission. It is worthy to note that the Nigerian Defence Academy is a training institution and a citadel of academy excellent.

“The attack by the bandits must have been well planned following their aimed target area within the NDA permanent site complex. Efforts are ongoing to ensure the rescue of the 2 officers abducted and also to clear the bandits. We are in touch with NDA and as events unfold the press will be adequately briefed.

“We urge Nigerians and members of the Press to support the Armed Forces to put an end to this menace,” he said.

In another statement by Spokesperson of NDA, Major Bashir Jajira said that “The security architecture of the Nigerian Defence Academy was compromised early this morning by unknown gunmen who gained access into the residential area within the Academy in Afaka. During the unfortunate incident, we lost two personnel and one was abducted.

“The Academy in collaboration with the 1Division Nigerian Army and Air Training Command as well as other security agencies in Kaduna state has since commenced pursuit of the unknown gunmen within the general area with a view to tracking them and rescue the abducted personnel.

“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,” he concluded.

By PRNigeria