Gwoza: Boko Haram Attacks NAF Helicopter Conveying Medics
A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopter conveying personnel on medical outreach programme at Gwoza in the southern part of Borno State on Wednesday came under attack by members of the Boko Haram terrorists.
A statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa said the Mi-17 helicopter was shot at severally by the insurgents.
Famuyiwa, however, said there was no casualty except for an airman that sustained bullet wound.
The spokesman of the Nigerian Air Force said the helicopter had departed Maiduguri en route the venue of the 2-day medical outreach programme in Gwoza when it came under attack by the insurgents.
According to him; “the pilot was able to fly the helicopter safely to and from its destination to enable the outreach programme continue uninterrupted.”
Famuyiwa said that following the attack, the NAF immediately scrambled a fighter aircraft and helicopter gunship to the location between Bama and Gwoza to neutralise the threat.
“Intelligent report by ground troops confirmed scores of Boko Haram members were killed, signifying that the air attack on the threat location was successful.
“Recall that the NAF has been conducting medical outreach in the North East as part of its humanitarian support to Internally Displaced Persons. The latest of this effort was in Gwoza. This follows a similar effort undertaken recently for IDPs in Lagos area,” Famuyiwa said.