At least five of the abducted female students of Federal Government College (FGGC) Birnin Yauri in Kebbi State and two teachers have been rescued by the Joint Taskforce Component of Operation Hadari Daji.

The Nation, however, reported that one of the students was said to have been shot during the gun duel between the soldiers and the fleeing bandits.

Deputy Force Commander of the Joint Taskforce in the North-West Zone, Air Commodore Abubakar Abdul Kadir, confirmed this on Friday to reporters in Zamfara State.

Abdul Kadir explained that the troops came in contact with the bandits in the early hours of Friday and engaged them in a gun duel, which forced them to abandon five of the students and a teacher.

One of the students whose identity was not revealed later died, although the military officer did not specifically state how it happened.

“Nigerian Army troops operating under the auspices of Operation Hadarin Daji who have been on hot pursuit of kidnappers and bandits following an unfortunate abduction incident in Federal Government College, Birnin Yawuri yesterday 17 June 2021 have so far, rescued two teachers and five students after a fierce exchange of fire with the criminals.

“The rescue followed an initial encounter with the abductors in the early hours of today 18 June 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 rustled cattle”, the statement read in part.

“The land troops in conjunction with elements of the Nigerian Air Force, who provided close air support during the rescue mission intercepted the two groups at about 2.30 am and engaged them in a firefight leading to the successful rescue of the teachers and students. The troops also recovered 800 cattle rustled by the bandits.

“The gallant troops are still on the heels of the kidnappers in order 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 for more. The Chief of Army Staff Maj Gen Faruk Yahaya has directed the Commander to spare no effort until all the abducted persons are safely rescued and reunited with their loved ones.”