° As bandits waste 2 Air officers in Kaduna
Two soldiers were killed and one other was abducted in Azagbene community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State by suspected sea pirates on Monday night.
Already armed soldiers on the orders of the military leadership have invaded the community in search of the suspected killers and to rescue the abducted soldier.
Investigations revealed that the suspected heavily armed sea pirates stormed a flow station in two speedboats and opened fire on the soldiers guarding the facility and shot two soldiers dead, kidnapped one and took away their rifles.
A source in the community, who craved anonymity, said there is palpable tension as armed soldiers are combing the community searching for the suspected killers and forcing many of the villagers to flee for fear of reprisal.
He said he and his family have left because the soldiers have warned that those that refused to leave would have themselves to blame. He said: “When the soldiers entered our community, they directed us to leave because they were going to burn everything to the ground and that anybody that fails to comply with the directive would be killed.
“Before some of us left the community, I saw the building of our paramount ruler on fire. Even my family house has been burnt to the ground. As I speak with you, we are suffering for a crime we didn’t commit.”
The spokesman of the 16 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Major Jonah Danjuma, however, denied the invasion, burning of buildings and harassment of villagers by soldiers.
Danjuma, who confirmed the death of two of its personnel, said soldiers were searching the community for the suspected killers, the missing soldier and the rifles carted
“Our men did not burn down houses in Azagbene community. We are only combing the community and neighbouring towns in search of one soldier that is missing as a result of the attack that led to the death of two soldiers.
And we are carrying out the search for the missing soldier in conjunction with leaders of the community,” he said.
In a related development, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced the death of two of its personnel in the hands of bandits in Kaduna State.
The deceased personnel, Flying Officer Abdulrahman Bayero, and Aircraftman Saidu Bawa were said to have been killed in an ambush by armed bandits at Kawan Pole Waya, about 20km from Birnin Gwari along the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road.
NAF director of public relations and information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, who made this known, said: “Troops of 271 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Detachment, Birnin Gwari on Monday, 22 July, at about 5 pm dismounted an ambush set up by armed bandits at Kawan Pole Waya, about 20km from Birnin Gwari along the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road.
“The gallant troops were able to fight their way through the ambush to the side of Birnin Gwari and called for reinforcement. “Unfortunately, two NAF personnel paid the supreme price in the process. The personnel, Flying Officer Abdulrahman Bayero, and Aircraftman Saidu Bawa are scheduled to be buried today in accordance with Islamic rites.
“The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on behalf all officers, airmen, airwomen and civilian staff of the NAF, commiserates with the families of the fallen heroes and prays that the Almighty grants their souls peaceful repose.
“The CAS, who was at Birnin Gwari on Saturday, 20 July, on an assessment visit, 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 North West of all criminal elements.
