Fulani Herdsmen shoot at Nigeria Air Force (NAF) fighter jet in Adamawa
Dec 21, 2017: Gun-wielding Fulani 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.
PUNCH correspondent had reported two weeks ago that the NAF, on the invitation of the Nigerian Army in Adamawa, deployed some fighter aircraft to support the ground forces in stopping the crisis.
The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice-Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, who confirmed the deployment of the air assets, had said it would be “a continuous exercise.”
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.
Our correspondent learnt on Wednesday from a top air force source on the operation that the herdsmen attempted to bring down the aircraft. – Punch