Troops of the 271 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Detachment, Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, have been reminded to continue conducting their operations in line with the internationally accepted Rules of Engagements guiding all military operations. The call was made by the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, today 11 March 2022, when he embarked on an operational tour of the Detachment. According to him, as professional military personnel, NAF troops must be seen to be above board and operate within laid down rules and regulations governing conflicts and military operations. Speaking further, the CAS commended them for their resilience and steadfastness as they collectively confront the challenges of terrorism and other forms of criminality in Birnin Gwari and environs.
Air Marshal Amao also took out time to pay homage to the Emir of Birnin Gwari, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Zubairu Jibril Mai Gwari II where he commended him for his fatherly role in trying to bring about peaceful co-existence in his Emirate. He thereafter assured him of NAF’s commitment towards arresting all forms of criminality in Birnin Gwari and Kaduna State in general. Responding, the Emir Alhaji Jibril Mai Gwari II commended the CAS and the NAF for their responsiveness in the fight against armed banditry and terrorism in Kaduna State and other states in Northwest Nigeria. "I am most grateful for your operational visit to Birnin Gwari and I must say that your personnel have continued to perform their duties professionally and diligently. Their presence here in my domain assures us of our peace and safety,” he said. Alhaji Mai Gwari also noted that the glaring commitment and dedication of the CAS as well as the efforts of NAF personnel at the forefront of on-going operations in the Northwest has significantly curtailed the activities of terrorists and limited their freedom of movement as well as their scope of operation.
Meanwhile, the nefarious activities of terrorists in Kanya Village in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area (LGA) of Kebbi State have of recent given cause for concern. Indeed, as recent as 8 March 2022, terrorists cowardly attacked and killed some military and police personnel deployed for internal security operations at Kanya Village. It is for this reason that the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD), undertook an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operation within the area to identify the exact location the terrorists have been using to hibernate. Intelligence deducted from the ISR operation revealed that the terrorists usually hibernate at Magama Village in 13 abandoned buildings with makeshift tents and structures, a location Southeast of Kanya Village. The operation also confirmed that the vicinity was devoid of women and children. Consequently, the Air Component of OPHD dispatched 2 NAF aircraft to the identified location to obliterate the terrorists. Overhead the location, the leading aircraft acquired the terrorists causing the structures to be engulfed in flame. The second aircraft observed surviving terrorists fleeing the location and subsequently obliterated them as well. Feedback from locals around Magama Village revealed that the operation led to an effective neutralization of the terrorists in large numbers while some survivors suffered varying degrees of injuries. Other sources confirmed that over 10 of their hideout structures were destroyed. Clearance operations by ground troops with Close Air Support by NAF aircraft is still ongoing around other villages close to Kanya Village in Danko/Wasagu LGA, aimed at curtailing the activities of terrorists in the area.
