NAF Unleashes Special Forces on Killer Herdsmen

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has unleashed some of its special forces against suspected killer herdsmen and cattle rustlers causing deaths and destruction in Zamfara state, North West of Nigeria.

Arrangements are also in place to extend the operations to other parts of Nigeria, especially in the Middle Belt region of the country.

The Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, in a statement on Tuesday, said this is following the recent attack on Bawan Daji community in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State where some lives were lost.

To this end, Adesanya said the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has directed that NAF Special Forces be deployed to Gusau, as part of efforts to stop the incessant banditry attacks.

He noted that 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.

He stated: “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.”

Adesanya stressed that 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.

Here is the photo highlights of the deployment:

He said that 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.

He stated that 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.