NAF special forces repel attack on Zamfara village, kills 5, rescues kidnapped women, child

Molly Kilete

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), said its special forces on internal security operations in Zamfara State has killed five bandits terrorising people of the state and recovered arms and ammunition from them.

NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, who made this known in a statement said the special forces also rescued some villagers abducted by the bandits among them two women and a child.

Daramola said the women and the child have since been handed over to the District Head of Mada town.

Daramola’s statement reads; “A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Special Forces (SF) team operating in Zamfara State has successfully repelled attacks by armed bandits who attempted to invade Hayin Mahe and Hayin Kanawa villages in Gusau Local Government Area. The operation, which took place on Sunday, 31 March 2019, was conducted sequel to intelligence reports indicating that the bandits, who operate from Sububu and Kagara forests, had attacked the villages and kidnapped some inhabitants.

“The timely response of the SF team resulted in a gun duel with the bandits who eventually fled into the forest. The gallant NAF SF personnel pursued the bandits into the forest, overpowering them and neutralising of them, while many others were observed to have run away with various gunshot wounds.

“Three AK-47 rifles with magazines were recovered in the process. Some villagers, who were kidnapped by the fleeing bandits, including two women and a child, were freed and handed over to the District Head of Mada town.

“In a follow-up operation, the NAF SF team returned to the communities to prevent reprisal attacks by the criminals as well as reassure the populace of their safety. The team, supported by a NAF Alpha Jet and attack helicopters, tracked the fleeing armed bandits to their hideouts within Sububu forest. The Alpha Jet successfully attacked the armed bandits’ camps while the helicopters scanned the environs for fleeing elements. The local populace were seen expressing confidence by cheering at the helicopters overhead their communities.

“The NAF, working in close coordination with sister services and other security agencies, will sustain its operations to neutralise the armed bandits and deny them freedom of action in the area.”