NAF launches bombing raids on Benue communities
- Fighter jets of the Nigerian Air Force launched air raids on at least three Benue communities on Saturday, June 17
- According to a source, the raids could be a reprisal on hoodlums in the communities, who launched an attack on an Army commander last week
- Military sources say the operations could last till Sunday, June 17
Air strikes have been conducted on at least three Benue State communities, by fighter jets of the Nigerian Air Force.
The operation took place on Saturday, June 16, and lasted for over several hours, Punch reports.
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Legit.ng gathers that the operation was confirmed by NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya.
Adesanya pointed out that he could not reveal further details, while acknowledging that it is an ongoing operation.
He said: “It is true that the NAF aircrafts are involved in an operation together with other security services in Katsina-Ala. But the operation is still ongoing and I cannot disclose further details.”
The air strikes were reportedly carried out along the Katsina-Ala to Zaki Biam and Wukari Road; and the affected villages included Gbise, Ayaka and environs.
According to a source, the raids could be a reprisal on hoodlums in the communities, who launched an attack last week, on the commander of the Nigerian Army Engineering Corps, Maj Gen John Malu, in his hometown in Tse Adoor, Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue state.
The source reportedly stated: “Gbise, Ayaka and other nearby villages in Katsina-Ala were on Saturday bombarded by the Air Force. These are reprisal attacks by the military to clear the hoodlums who attacked Maj Gen Malu when he was home last week.
“There were mortars, artillery pieces, assault rifles and aerial bombardments.”
Military sources reportedly said the operations could last till Sunday, June 17.
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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on Friday, June 15, celebrated Sallah with Nigerian Air Force (NAF) front-line troops serving in Maiduguri.
Spokesperson for NAF, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, disclosed in a statement, that Abubakar was accompanied by senior officers from NAF Headquarters, Abuja.
The Air Force chief used the opportunity to attend the commissioning of a newly built multipurpose hall at NAF’s 105 composite group, Maiduguri.
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Source: Legit.ng
