The Nigerian Air Force Special Forces under the 271 Detachment in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna have rescued seven Chinese expatriates kidnapped by terrorists in Niger State.

The expatriates were kidnapped in June while working at a mining site.

The Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said in a statement on Saturday that they were rescued after a search-and-rescue operation by the personnel.

The statement partly read, “Special Forces under the 271 Nigerian Air Force  Detachment, Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, carried out a rescue operation in the early hours of 17 December 2022 leading to the rescue of seven Chinese expatriates earlier kidnapped and held hostage by terrorists.

“The rescued Chinese victims are believed to have been kidnapped in June 2022 by terrorists while working on a mining site in Ajata-Aboki, Gurmana Ward of Shiroro Local Government, Niger State.

“The Combat Search and Rescue Operation, which consisted of 35 special forces, was conducted under the cover of night at Kanfani Doka and Gwaska general areas leading to the terrorists abandoning their enclaves, their weapons and the kidnapped Chinese victims. The terrorists fled for their lives due to the superior firepower of the special forces.”

Gabkwet added that the victims were immediately flown to the 271 NAF Detachment Medical Centre for evaluation, noting that two of the victims were stabilised there.

He said that the seven victims were at the NAF Base Medical Hospital, Kaduna for further medical investigations