A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopter conveying personnel on medical outreach programme at Gwoza yesterday came under attack by members of the Boko Haram Terrorist group.
A statement by the Director, Airforce Public Relations, Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa said “The Mi-17 helicopter was shot at severally by the insurgents.
He noted however that there was no casualty except for an airman that sustained bullet wound.
Famuyiwa said, “The helicopter had departed from Maiduguri enroute the venue of the 2-day medical outreach programme in Gwoza when it came under attack by the insurgents.
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“Nevertheless, the pilot was able to fly the helicopter safely to and from its destination to enable the outreach programme continue uninterrupted.
“Following the attack, the NAF immediately scrambled a fighter aircraft and helicopter gunship to the location between Bama and Gwoza to neutralize the threat.
“Intelligence report by ground troops confirmed scores of BHTs were killed, signifying that the air attack on the threat location was successful.
Group Captain Famuyiwa recalled that the NAF has been conducting medical outreach in the North East as part of its humanitarian support to Internally Displaced Persons.
He said “The latest of this effort was in Gwoza. This follows a similar effort undertaken recently for IDPs in Lagos area.”
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