President Buhari
HighlightTop StoryTrending Story

Just in: Nigeria Air Force allegedly settles bandits with N20m to avert shooting down Buhari’s plane

479

 

The Nigerian Air Force allegedly coordinated ransom payments to armed bandits in exchange for an anti-aircraft gun seized from the Nigerian Army, according to an investigation.

The desperate deal was brokered as President Muhammadu Buhari was planning a trip to Katsina, Persecondnews quotes the Wall Street Journal as saying.

The U.S. outlet said N20 million was delivered to the bandits in Rugu Forest by a Nigerian Air Force official, who leaked details of the operation under anonymity, because the military realised that it would be too risky to leave the weapon in the hands of violent criminals operating in an area the presidential jet would fly over.

The rugged, lawless jungle that covers parts of Kaduna, Zamfara and the president’s home state of Katsina has served as a vast haven for bandits terrorising Nigeria’s northwestern communities.

A large portion of kidnapping plots emanates or terminates in or around the forest, security agencies have previously warned.

“The mission to buy back the antiaircraft gun began with a handoff from a high-ranking air force intelligence officer in the capital Abuja: a black zip-up bag he said was full of 20 million Nigerian naira,” the paper reported, after stating that such military hardware in the hands of bandits “posed a threat to President Muhammadu Buhari, who had been planning to fly to his hometown about 80 miles away.”

The gun truck with 12.7 caliber anti-aircraft fire was reportedly disassembled and transported back to the military on motorbikes after the deal was concluded.

It was, however, not stated when the deal was brokered or the presidential trip that was planned.

It would be recalled that Buhari has been in his hometown at least twice this year that his office disclosed to the public. The first trip was in late January and another in July.

Although the Nigerian government claimed combat victories against armed bandits, several military bases have been sacked by the violent criminals dreaded largely for their abduction of schoolchildren and prominent personalities, including politicians and emirs.

In September, a forward operating base crucial to the military campaign against banditry was raided in Zamfara, leaving at least 12 officers killed.

The bandits also seized military equipment when they captured the base in Dansadau, about 80 kilometres south of the capital Gusau, in the September 11 operation.

Less than two weeks later on September 24, bandits again struck a joint base of security forces in the neighbouring Sokoto State, killing several soldiers, Civil Defence officers and civilians.

The Nigerian Air Force also confirmed on July 19 that bandits had shot down one of its fighter jets, but the pilot was able to eject and there were no casualties. The incident came as Mr Buhari was visiting his hometown for this year’s Sallah.

It was not immediately clear why service chiefs opted for a ransom payment in the operation described by The Journal. Military weapons that fell into the hands of Boko Haram insurgents and bandits were usually destroyed by airstrikes.

Whereas Mr Buhari has promised to be tough on the bandits and publicly railed against governors negotiating with them, his government has been known to pay ransom to terrorists and other violent criminals.

The government paid millions of dollars to free some of the Chibok girls seized in 2014 under President Goodluck Jonathan and also facilitated hundreds of millions of naira in ransom to bandits who seized schoolchildren in Niger State earlier this year.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Senate reshuffles committees, appoints new chairmen, deputies for three development commission

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has announced a significant overhaul of the Senate’s...

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu storms Minna, holds closed-door meeting with Babangida, Abdulsalami

In a surprise move, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu on Tuesday flew into...

Tinubu Signs Bill Establishing North-Central Development Commission

President Bola Tinubu has signed a bill establishing the NorthCentral Development Commission...

Just in: Court acquits Fani-Kayode of forgery charges

Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos...

Just in: Edo gov. poll tribunal: SDP withdraws case against Okpebholo’s election

The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja on Tuesday,...

Suspended Ogun Monarch Arraigned for Assaulting Septuagenarian

The suspended monarch in Ogun State, the Olorile of Orile Ifo, Oba...

FEC approves $45.3m feasibility study for new transportation route alignment for ports

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved $45,303,000 for an in-depth feasibility...

Agge Deep Seaport Project: Bayelsa Set to Become Major Transport Hub, says Oyetola

A high-powered team from the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy...

Naira Strengthens to 8-Month High, Gains N20.67 Against Dollar

The Nigerian naira continued its stability on Monday, fueled by reduced demand...

CBN Extends Deadline for BDCs to Access Forex Market Until May 30

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has granted eligible Bureau de Change...

NLC suspends industrial action over telecom tariff hike, strikes deal with FG

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has suspended its planned nationwide protest against...

FEC Approves N885bln for 10 Road Projects Across States

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N885 billion for 10 road...

Murder of entire family: Three men to face gallows for brutal killing, arson

After two years of trial, justice was served on Monday as an...

Ogun govt. suspends monarch and ex-police officer for assaulting septuagenarian in viral video

The Ogun State Government on Monday slammed a six-month suspension on Olorile...

Minister Orders Shutdown of Quack Hospital in FCT, Operator Arrested for Practicing Without License

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has taken...

NUPRC Tightens Grip on Oil Firms, Says No Export Permits for Crude Meant for Local Refining

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has issued a stern warning...

NCAA Takes On Kenya Airways Over Alleged Passenger Mistreatment

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Kenya Airways are embroiled in...

Tinubu Signs Bill Establishing Environment and Technology University, Ogoni, Rivers

President Bola Tinubu has made history by signing into law the bill...

Tinubu Chairs First FEC Meeting in 2025, Swears in New Permanent Secretaries, RMAFC Commissioners

President Bola Tinubu presided over the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at...

Tinubu Swears in 8 New Permanent Secretaries, 18 RMAFC Federal Commissioners

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in eight new Federal Permanent Secretaries, marking...