Gun-wielding herdsmen attempt to bring down NAF fighter jet in Adamawa

Gun-wielding herdsmen have fired at the Alpha Jet and the EC 135 Helicopter deployed by the military in an attempt to resist the interventions by the Nigerian Air Force in the troubled communities of Numan and Demsa Local Government Areas of Adamawa State.

The herdsmen, who were dressed in black, reportedly attempted to bring down the fighter aircraft which were flown to fire “only warning shots” and not to kill any of the attackers.

According to sources, about two weeks ago NAF, on the invitation of the Nigerian Army in Adamawa, deployed some fighter aircraft to support the ground forces in stopping the crisis.

The police in Adamawa State also confirmed attacks by the rampaging Fulani militia on Dong and Lawura villages in the Demsa LGA, saying that many buildings were razed, scores were killed while many other residents fled the communities.

The police also said six police officers were killed in the attack between herdsmen and farmers.

The gunmen actually started firing at NAF aircraft when they got to a bridge on their way to Jalingo, Taraba State, where they finally ran to.

Although, the Alpha Jet was not asked to bomb them. It did not actually carry bombs; they were on an internal security operation and a fundamental principle of such operation was the use of minimum force.

The air force’s spokesman, AVM Adesanya, confirmed that the NAF aircraft sighted a large number of hoodlums.

He said, “Our intervention was based on a request by the 3 Division, Nigerian Army. It was not a full deployment. We rather diverted our air assets from the bases in Maiduguri, Borno State, and Yola, Adamawa State.