Suspected bandits have killed two personnel of the Nigerian Air Force after staging an ambush for the troops at the Kawan Pole Waya area along the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road in Kaduna State.
Kawan Pole Waya area is about 20 kilometres from Birnin Gwari, an area bordering Zamfara and Kebbi states and notorious for bandits’ activities.
The bandits attacked the troops attached to the 271 NAF Detachment in Birnin Gwari on Monday at about 5pm. This, it was learnt, led to a gun battle between the trapped troops and the bandits.
The air force said on Tuesday that after fighting through the bandits’ ambush, it lost two of its personnel – Flying Officer Abdulrahman Bayero and Aircraftman Saidu Bawa – who were buried on Tuesday, according to Islamic rites.
NAF on May 4 had inaugurated the 271 Detachment in Birnin-Gwari as part of efforts to tackle banditry in the area. It was established as a blocking force for the troops involved in the Operation Diran Mikiya and Sharan Daji.
NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, who confirmed the incident in a statement, said the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, commiserated with the families of the fallen heroes.
He urged the NAF personnel to remain resolute in their bid to rid the North-West of all criminal elements.
He said, “Troops of the 271 NAF Detachment, Birnin Gwari, on Monday dismounted an ambush set up by bandits at the Kawan Pole Waya area along the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road. The gallant troops were able to fight their way through the ambush to the side of Birnin Gwari and called for reinforcement. Unfortunately, two NAF personnel paid the supreme price in the process.
“The Chief of the Air Staff, on behalf of all officers, airmen, airwomen and workers, commiserates with the families of the fallen heroes and prays that the Almighty God grant their souls peaceful repose.
“He has urged all the NAF personnel to remain resolute and continue to work assiduously and in synergy with sister services and other security agencies to rid the North-West of all criminal elements.”
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