The Nigerian Air Force has deployed 32 special forces to Southern Kaduna in a bid to bring peace to the area.
The special forces including 28 soldiers, two officers and two medical personnel complement an initial deployment of troops by the defence headquarters.
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Speaking at the deployment yesterday in Kaduna, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Air Vice Marshal Musa Mukhtar said the troops are to team up with the ones deployed to the area few days ago by the Defence headquarters.
He said the deployment of officers and soldiers who boarded the MI 171E helicopter is in compliance with a presidential directive which is to restore normalcy to Southern Kaduna.
He urged the special forces to have respect for human rights and be disciplined during the period.
He noted that the air force would also be giving air support during the period, adding, “The air component of Operation Thunder Strike is to take charge of that.”
“The special forces will be in Southern Kaduna for as long as need be, that’s according to the authorities and they will be partnering with other security personnel in the region to ensure the killings stop, and lasting peace restored to the area,” he stressed.
Continued killings
The violence rocking the area continues to be a worry for the rest of the country.
Series of meetings have been convened with security chiefs and the presidency in past weeks to deliberate on the violence and the ongoing insecurity in the north east of the country.
The House of Representatives in July moved a motion calling on the federal government to end “incessant killings” in Southern Kaduna.
Rep Gideon Gwani, who moved the motion, said the region was facing a humanitarian crisis, with thousands displaced from their homes.
Most communities in Southern Kaduna Local Government Areas cannot go to farm as the invaders have taken over most of the villages and communities, he said.
He lamented that the attacks have continued despite a 24-hour curfew imposed in most of the Local Government Areas of southern Kaduna for several weeks.
In one attack on Kukum Daji Communities in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State, at least 19 people were killed.
