At least four personnel of the Nigerian Air Force in Kaduna, have been reportedly killed when suspected bandits waylaid the security operatives at Unguwan Yako, close, along Kaduna- Birnin Gwari road.
According to TheCable, two vehicles belonging to the air force were set ablaze in the incident which happened on Thursday.
“While the attack was going on, a war plane attacked the bandits and dropped bombs killing many bandits on the spot. The soldiers are not usually on that spot, but because of the increase in the rate of insecurity in the area, the soldiers where deployed to the area on Thursday where they met their death,” TheCable quoted a military source to have said
Spokesperson of the air force, Ibikunle Daramola however, in a statement issued on Friday, discounted the level of casualties, saying only one personnel was killed in the incident
“Troops of the 271 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Detachment, Birnin Gwari on Thursday, 9 January 2020, foiled an ambush set up by over 70 armed bandits at Ungwan Yako along the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road in Kaduna State,” he said.
“The gallant troops were able to fight their way through the ambush to the side of Birnin Gwari killing several bandits in the process. Unfortunately, one NAF personnel paid the supreme price in the process while some sustained varying degrees of injury”
He disclosed that the dead operative has been buried on Friday according to Islamic customs while the injured were receiving treatment at the airforce hospital.
“The deceased airman, Aircraftman Mukhtar Ibrahim, is scheduled to be buried today in accordance with Islamic rites while the injured personnel are currently receiving treatment at the NAF Hospital in Kaduna.
“The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on behalf all officers, airmen, airwomen and civilian staff of the NAF, commiserates with the family of the fallen hero and prays that the Almighty grants his soul peaceful repose.
“The CAS has urged all NAF personnel to remain resolute and continue to work assiduously, in synergy with sister Services and other security agencies, to rid the Northwest of all criminal elements.”
The attack happened same day four soldiers and two policemen were reportedly abducted by Boko Haram insurgents along the Damaturu-Yobe road.