An unidentified female student of the Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri, Kebbi State, abducted on Thursday alongside other students and teachers, has been recovered dead.
However, Nigerian Army said troops of Operation Hadarin Daji have rescued two teachers and five and abducted students of the college.
The female student was said to have died due to exhaustion.
Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement on Friday, said the victims were rescued after an exchange of fire with the criminals.
Nwachukwu said that the troops had been on a hot pursuit of the kidnappers and bandits following the abduction.
He added that the rescue followed an initial encounter with the abductors in the early hours of Friday after trailing the kidnappers through Rijau to Sombo community.
“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 a.m.
“They engaged them in a fire fight leading to the successful rescue of the teachers and students. The troops also recovered 800 cattle rustled by the bandits.
“The roops are still on the heels of the kidnappers to rescue the remaining abductees still in captivity,” Nwachukwu said.
He said that the rescued teachers and students would be handed over to the Kebbi Government.
“The Nigerian Army appreciates the cooperation so far from good spirited citizens and wish to solicit more support.
“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,” he said.
According to Nwachukwu, the kidnappers who had split into two groups, fled with one group conveying the victims as they made their escape, while the second group conveyed rustled cattle.
