Nigerian Air Force deploy combat helicopter and reconnaissance plane to Plateau State

DEFENCE officials have deployed a Nigerian Air Force (Naf) Mi-35P combat helicopter and an Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft to Plateau State in response to the recent murderous attack by Fulani cattle herdsmen that left 86 people dead.

On Sunday, armed Fulani cattle herdsmen attacked the villages of Razat, Ruku, Nyarr, Kura and Gana-Ropp in Gashish District in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, hacking 86 innocent people to death. Confirmed by the Plateau Police Command, the incidence has lead to the imposition of a curfew on the area and security has been beefed up to prevent a reoccurrence.

Alhaji Danladi Ciroma, the chairman, of the north central zone of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, claimed that the killings were in retaliation to the abduction of over 300 cows over the last few weeks by the villagers. Although he said he does not support the killing of humans in response, Alhaji Ciroma added that since these cows were not found, no one should expect peace in the area.

Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, Naf's director of public relations and information, confirmed, however, that in response to the attacks, there has been a deployment of surveillance aircraft to monitor events on the ground. He added that the deployment of the reconnaissance plane and combat helicopter was part of efforts aimed at quelling the crisis with a view to restoring normalcy.

“The deployment of the ISR aircraft is expected to enhance intelligence gathering while the combat helicopter will conduct armed reconnaissance and other combat air support operations. Meanwhile, other Naf air assets are available at nearby alternate airfields to hasten the process of restoring normalcy in the Plateau State, as might be necessary," Air Vice Marshal Adesanya added.