Thread by @DefenseNigeria

Major CL Datong was abducted from the Nigerian Defence Academy on the 24th of August by bandits. Twenty one days later he was rescued in a combined Air and Ground operation to rescue the Major. Intelligence played a critical role in this successful operation.

As expected the "Damned if you do Damnned if you dont" brigade are already complaining why it took 21 days to rescue the Major. Easier said than done when terrorists will minimize conventional and overt warfare and maximize hit and run tactics, ambushes, as well as subversive

..operations. They are able to do this because of their access to geographic lines of communications and access to the civilian population. This allows them to move from their base regularly, never in one place for long periods, and as they do, they move with their captives.

To catch them you need high fidelity HUMINT and ELINT to access their lines of communications by conducting intensive ISR operations. The army took it a step further by cutting off their supply lines and access to food and communications through interdiction operations

Once confronted by these security measures, insurgents are tactically disadvantaged and forced towards two options, be caught in the open and be subjected to overwhelming air and artillery firepower or disengage to find shelter in isolated areas, passing through areas

..secured by Nigerian forces. Bandits became trapped and forced to remain hidden with no supply of food, weapons, intelligence and subject to snake bites at night. This is the situation bandits fond themselves in. But rather than move in, the army bid its time and placed HUMINT

..on the ground based on information gleamed from a surrendered fighter. The Nigerian army gave the bandists a false sense of security by allowing them make a dash for the safely of their camps. Hungry and demoralized people take actions borne out of desperation.

As predicted the bandits headed for two camps in the Afaka Birnin Gwari general area. A large well manned camp and a much smaller camp where abductors are held.

When, thanks to HUMINT the location Major CL Datong was held, a camp in Afaka, was verified it was SHOW TIME.

The NAF airforce hit the main camp in repeated but "limited" strikes as a diversion, killing scores while Nigerian troops stealthy made their way to the location Major CL Datong was being held in two fronts advance party. An assault party and a rescue party.

The assault troops exchanged fire with the bandits, suppressing them with overwhelming firepower, getting them pinned to the ground, while rescue troops were able to rescue the Major.

Information gleaned from abductors and other civilians proved to be of critical importance.