Military disrupts kidnappers in Benue
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said it has successfully provided close air support to surface forces during an operation targeting suspected kidnappers in the Ogbadigbo area of Benue State, near the Enugu–Benue boundary.
It said that the operation disrupted the activities of the criminal elements and supported the advance of surface forces. The Air Force said that following the successful completion of the mission, the pilot, on return to base, exercised his professional discretion to execute a precautionary landing approximately 10 nautical miles from the airfield.
This, according to NAF, was in accordance with established operational and safety procedures following combat missions. It, however, said that the helicopter has returned to base. “The NAF remains committed to sustaining pressure on criminal elements, providing close air support to surface forces and protecting communities through coordinated air and ground operations,” Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said in a statement on Thursday.
“The successful outcome underscores the NAF’s continued resolve to deny criminal elements freedom of action and support efforts to restore safety and security to affected communities.”This came as the Nigerian Army said troops of Operation HADIN KAI crushed a coordinated multi-directional assault by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Kukawa, Borno State.
The operation led to the killing of over 25 terrorists and the recovery of arms and ammunition during a fierce counter-offensive.
