Airforce Helicopter NAF
Unrelenting,
Airforce Helicopter NAF
Unrelenting, NAF Sustains Air Raids on Scampering
Zamfara Bandits
In continuation of its sustained intensive air operations
against armed bandits’ hideouts in Zamfara State and its environs,
the Air Task Force (ATF) for Operation DIRAN MIKIYA has destroyed
some logistics stores belonging to the bandits at a location within
Kagara Forest.
The operation was executed on 13 April 2019, following credible
intelligence reports indicating that some of the armed bandits who
had fled their camps as a result of NAF’s earlier air strikes had
relocated some logistics items, including fuel, motorcycles and
local arms making equipment, to another location within Kagara
Forest.
Accordingly, the ATF dispatched an Mi-35 helicopter gunship,
supported by an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR)
platform, to attack the target.
The target area initially appeared uninhabited. However, as the
helicopter approached, some of the bandits were seen emerging from
under the shrubbery and running away from the area.
The helicopter engaged the target recording successful hits on
the logistics facility, which was engulfed in flames with thick
black smoke seen.
Some armed bandits, who fired at the aircraft, were taken out by
the helicopter. Reports from independent sources, including local
informants and village leaders around the general area, later
confirmed that the logistics base was totally destroyed and 4 armed
bandits killed as a result of the attack.
The NAF, working in consonance with surface forces and other
security agencies, will sustain its operations to flush the bandits
out of the Northwest of the Country.
IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force