The Nigerian Air force (NAF) said its troops of the 271 detachment, Birnin Gwari, foiled an ambush set up by over 70 armed bandits at Ungwan Yako along the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road in Kaduna State.
The NAF said an airman was killed and several others sustained varying injuries during the attack which occurred on Thursday.
According to a statement on Friday by Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, the NAF spokesperson, the troops were however able to fight their way through the ambush to the side of Birnin Gwari killing several bandits in the process.
“Unfortunately, one NAF personnel paid the supreme price in the process while some sustained varying degrees of injury”, he said.
According to the statement, the deceased airman, Aircraftman Mukhtar Ibrahim, is scheduled to be buried today in accordance with Islamic rites while the injured personnel are currently receiving treatment at the NAF Hospital in Kaduna.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on behalf all officers, airmen, airwomen and civilian staff of the NAF, has commiserated with the family of the fallen hero and prayed that the Almighty grants his soul peaceful repose.
The CAS has urged all NAF personnel to remain resolute and continue to work assiduously, in synergy with sister Services and other security agencies, to rid the Northwest of all criminal elements.
