Two Nigerian Air Force personnel have lost their lives and several others injured in an ambush by suspected armed bandits in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The victims were said to be in two patrol vans before they bumped into the bandits.
According to an eyewitness, the assailants were in the process of kidnapping some travellers and upon sighting the security operatives, they opened fire on them while a gunfight ensued in the process.
NAF Director of Public Relations And Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, confirmed the incident in a statement.
The statement said, “Troops of 271 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Detachment in Birnin Gwari had at about 5pm on Monday, 22 July 2019, dismounted an ambush set up by armed bandits at Kawan Pole Waya, about 20km from Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road and in the process were able to fight their way through the ambush to the side of Birnin Gwari and later called for reinforcement.”
Daramola also affirmed the killing of two personnel who were identified as Flying Officer Abdulrahman Bayero and Aircraftman Saidu Bawa.
In his reaction, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, condoled with the families of the fallen heroes, on behalf of all staff members of the Force
He also prayed that the Almighty God grants their souls peaceful repose.
According to the statement, the Air chief was at Birnin Gwari on Saturday, on an assessment visit.
He, however, urged personnel to remain resolute and continue to work assiduously, in synergy with sister services and other security agencies to rid the north-west region of all criminal elements.
Credit: ChannelsTV
