The officers of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) have rescued seven Chinese nationals kidnapped by gunmen at a mining site in Niger State.

The kidnapped victims were rescued by the Special Forces (SF) under the 271 NAF Detachment, Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, in the early hours of Saturday.

The rescued Chinese victims were kidnapped in June 2022 by terrorists while working on a mining site in Ajata-Aboki, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

The NAF spokesperson, Edward Gabkwet, disclosed this via a statement issued on Saturday.

Gabkwet noted that the Combat Search and Rescue operation, which consisted of 35 Special Forces was conducted 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 firepower of the special forces on Saturday.

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“After the successful operations, the 7 Chinese victims were flown to the 271 NAF Detachment Medical Centre for evaluation were 2 of the victims were stabilised.

“Subsequently, the 7 victims were flown to the NAF Base Medical Hospital, Kaduna for further medical investigations,” he stated.

The NAF spokesperson added that the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, has 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 Northwest in general.”

The Star