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The Nigerian Army has confirmed the rescue of students of the Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri in Kebbi kidnapped by bandits.
According to the army, it lost one of the students.
In a statement, Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations said so far, two teachers and five students have been freed.
The rescue followed an encounter with the abductors in the early hours of Friday.
Nwachukwu said troops trailed them from Yauri through Riyao to Sombo community, where the kidnappers had split into two groups.
One conveyed the abducted students, while the other conveyed rustled cattle.
Ground forces and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) intercepted the groups at about 2.30 am and engaged them in a fire.
The battle led to the release of the teachers and students as well as the recovery of 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”, Nwachukwu added.
