Terrorists shoot air force jet in Borno, dozens killed in counter-attack

dimeji akinloye

February 16, 2017 8:57 PM

NAF spokesman said the terrorists shot the Mi-17 helicopter, adding that only one of the crew members sustained a bullet wound.

Confirming the attack, NAF spokesman, Ayodele Famuyiwa, said the aircraft was conveying personnel on medical outreach programme from Maiduguri to Gwoza, when it was hit.

He explained that the terrorists shot the Mi-17 helicopter, adding that only one of the people onboard sustained a bullet wound.

Famuyiwa said: "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 neutralise the threat.

"Intelligent report by ground troops confirmed scores of BHTs were killed, signifying that the air attack on the threat location was successful."

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According to him, the force has been conducting medical outreach in the north-east as part of its humanitarian support to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

dimeji akinloye