Scores of B'Haram members killled as sect attacks Air Force helicopter in Gwoza

One person sustained injury as a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopter conveying personnel on medical outreach programme at Gwoza in Borno state on Wednesday, February 15, came under attack by Boko Haram members.

This was disclosed by the Nigerian Air Force spokesman, Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa in a statement on Thursday, February 16.

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According to Famuyiwa, the Mi-17 helicopter was shot at severally by the insurgents, Daily Trust reports.

However, there was no casualty except for an airman that sustained bullet wound.

Famuyiwa said that the helicopter had departed from Maiduguri enroute the venue of the two-day medical outreach programme in Gwoza when it came under attack by the insurgents.

He added: “Nevertheless, the pilot was able to fly the helicopter safely to and from its destination to enable the outreach programme continue uninterrupted.

“Following the attack, the NAF immediately scrambled a fighter aircraft and helicopter gunship to the location between Bama and Gwoza to neutralise the threat.

“Intelligent report by ground troops confirmed scores of BHTs were killed, signifying that the air attack on the threat location was successful.

”Recall recalled that the NAF has been conducting medical outreach in the North East as part of its humanitarian support to Internally Displaced Persons.

"The latest of this effort was in Gwoza. This follows a similar effort undertaken recently for IDPs in Lagos area”.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified air operations in support of Operation Rescue Finale so as to create an enabling environment for troops to undertake final onslaught against the remnants of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) in the Sambisa forest.

According to a report from NAF headquarters, the latest air operations involve air interdiction and armed reconnaissance by NAF fighter jets and helicopter gunships against Boko Haram terrorists’ camps and major hideouts.

Source: Legit.ng