Air force deploys troops to Zamfara ‘to prevent further attacks’

Sadique Abubakar, chief of air staff, has ordered the deployment of special forces of the Nigerian air force (NAF) to Gusau, Zamfara capital, as part of efforts to stop the killings in the state.

The development is coming after the recent attack that claimed over 30 lives in Bawan Daji village, Anka local government area of Zamfara.

Olatokunbo Adesanya, NAF director of public relations, in a statement said the troops are to complement the efforts of other security forces on ground to prevent further attacks.

“Following the recent attack on Bawan Daji community in Anka local government area of Zamfara state where some lives were lost, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, directed that Nigerian air force (NAF) special forces be deployed to Gusau, as part of efforts to stop the incessant banditry attacks,” the statement read.

“Accordingly, the NAF special forces, who were trained in asymmetric warfare, were airlifted from Kaduna with the NAF C-130 Hercules aircraft to complement the efforts of other security forces on ground to prevent further attack on innocent citizens.

“The personnel and other supporting staff would operate from the recently established 207 quick response group in Gusau, where they would reinforce the existing regiment personnel in the unit in support of the ongoing operation SHARAN DAJI in the state.

“In his address to the troops at Gusau shortly before their deployment earlier today, 3 April 2018, the air officer commanding special operations command, air vice marshal Ismaila Kaita, announced that the special forces would be further deployed to remote areas of Zamfara state, where they would be engaged in internal security operations.

“He therefore further urged them to effectively utilize their experience and training to protect the lives and properties of the people of Zamfara State. He added that the NAF leadership expects the Special Forces to exhibit the highest standards of professionalism and respect for human rights in discharging their duties.

“In recent times, the NAF has taken additional measures to enhance its contributions to tackling internal security challenges in the country, in fulfilment of its constitutional responsibility. In addition to earlier established quick response groups and Wings and the deployment of NAF special forces to various states, the NAF recently established quick response wings at Agatu, Doma and Nguroje in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states respectively to bring security closer to those in the relatively remote areas.

“Arrangements are also ongoing to establish a new quick response group in Jalingo, Taraba state to superintend the activities of the 3 new quick response wings.”