From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
T
he Kaduna State Government has said that normal flights have resumed at the Kaduna International Airport following the presence of bandits in the airport vicinity in the early hours of Saturday morning.
This was contained in a statement issued by the commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan.
The statement noted that security forces have reported that an attack by armed bandits was repelled in the vicinity of the Kaduna International Airport.
The statement said: “Troops stationed within and around the airport responded and repelled the attackers.
“However, the bandits, unfortunately, shot and killed a staff member stationed at the perimeter fence who raised alarm on sighting them.
“Airport operations resumed scheduled flights after the incident.
“Security forces are conducting operations in the airport general area. Further updates will be communicated to the public.
“Governor Nasir El-Rufa’i commended the security forces for their prompt response to the attack, and for repelling the attackers.
“He expressed sadness in the report of the casualty, and sent condolences to the family of the victim while offering prayers for the repose of his soul.”
Meanwhile, the bandits said to be numbered over 200 on Saturday afternoon took over the runway of the airport, killing one security personnel of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
The bandits forced the agency to temporarily shut down activities at the airport while the military battled the gunmen.
The bandits had prevented a Lagos bound flight from taking off around 12:30 pm on Saturday, according to a witness.
A source who pleaded anonymity, said that ‘the bandit attack started around 12:00 am on Saturday. They started attacking the Airport around midnight. The bandits were alleging that the military personnel took away their cattle.
‘The military was able to repel them that midnight and we thought that was all. In fact, our staff resumed work this morning as usual. They worked around runway from 5:pm till around 12:00 pm.
