Nigerian Air Force Expands Fleet with 12 New Aircraft, More Coming
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has bolstered its fight against terrorists and bandits with the addition of 12 new aircraft. These include two King Air 360i light transport aircraft, four T-129 ATAK helicopters, two Agusta Westland 109 Trekkers, and four DA-62 surveillance aircraft.
Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, the Chief of Air Staff, shared the update on Saturday during a meeting with NAF veterans in Kaduna. “The Nigerian Air Force is committed to becoming a more effective and agile force capable of addressing the country’s security challenges,” Abubakar said, according to The Punch.
He revealed that more aircraft are on the way, including 24 M-346 fighter jets and 10 Agusta Westland helicopters from Italy and two more T-129 ATAK helicopters from Turkey, along with three CASA 295 transport aircraft from Spain, and 12 AH-1Z Viper helicopters from the United States.
“We have made significant progress in the last 18 months, and we are committed to sustaining this momentum,” Abubakar noted.
Nigerian Police Lose 2 Officers in Gunfight with Lakurawa Bandits
Bandits, believed to be part of the Lakurawa terror group, attacked a farm and nearby settlements in Kebbi State in Northwest Nigeria early Friday, killing two police officers and stealing more than 200 cows.
The attack was in Natsini village. Residents fled as the bandits, armed and on motorcycles, raided the area. “We all ran away when they came, so we didn’t lose anyone,” a resident told the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ). “At dawn, some of the cows returned home.”
The police confirmed the incident, saying officers responded swiftly and engaged the attackers in a gunfight, forcing them to retreat.
“A team of police safer highway patrol immediately rushed to the scene, engaged the bandits in a gun duel, pursued them, forcing the bandits to escape into the forest with gunshot wounds, and successfully recovered some of the rustled cows,” police spokesperson Nafiu Abubakar reported. However, two officers died during the confrontation.
Nigerian Gunmen Kill 5 Cameroonian Soldiers in Border Attack
Gunmen from Nigeria stormed Bakinjaw, a Cameroonian border village, early Friday, killing five soldiers and injuring several others.
Aka Martin Tyoga, a member of parliament for the Akwaya district in southwestern Cameroon, told Reuters that hundreds of armed Fulani herdsmen crossed from Nigeria’s Taraba State and attacked a military post in Bakinjaw village. Tyoga said it was a retaliation after Cameroonian soldiers killed several herdsmen the day before.
Agwa Linus, the traditional ruler of Bakinjaw, confirmed the attack and said the gunmen also set fire to his home. “This is not the first time they are attacking – it’s very unfortunate,” Linus said.
Security Forces Take Down Notorious Terrorist in Zamfara
Security operatives in Zamfara State, Northwest Nigeria, eliminated a notorious terrorist named Sani Rusu during a raid in Bamamu village in Tsafe County.
According to Zagazola Makama, the raid, which targeted the Fulani terrorist responsible for multiple attacks in eastern Tsafe, happened after intelligence reports revealed Rusu’s location.
Rusu, known for leading numerous attacks in the region, was killed during the operation. However, his suspected accomplice, a drug dealer named Shamsu Danmali, managed to escape and remains at large.
Residents of Tsafe, who have long suffered from bandit attacks, are hopeful Rusu’s end marks a turning point for peace in the area.
Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
