Why bandits attacked Kaduna airport— Sources

By Acahdu Gabriel, Kaduna

Detailed information has emerged on how over 200 bandits stormed Kaduna International Airport on Saturday, prevented Aircraft from flying after killing one security personnel of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.

One of the workers at the airport who pleaded anonymity told newsmen in Kaduna, Saturday evening that over 200 bandits stormed the airport around 12.00am.

He said they were speaking in Hausa, “Hausa ‘Zamu rufe airport ba jirgi da zai tashi’, meaning: We will shut down this airport. No aircraft will fly in and out.”

The source said the bandits alleged that the military took away their cows and as revenge, they stormed the Airport at midnight but were repelled by the military, stationed at the airport.

He said everybody thought, since the military had repelled them, they would never come back.

He added that everybody was surprised as they resurfaced around 1200am.

“In fact, our staff resumed work this morning as usual. They worked around the runway 5:00am till around 12:00pm.

“Then, shortly after that, some NAMA staff went to check some of their equipment, then these people (bandits) appeared and started shooting. The NAMA engineers scampered for safety, they could not even go and enter the vehicle that took them to the site. It was in the process that their security man was shot in the head,” he said.

He said the injured security man was taken to the hospital but was confirmed dead on arrival.

“As I am talking to you now, the military is still battling those guys, and they are proving difficult to be repelled. Now, they have shut down the Airport,” he said

It was gathered that more military, security operatives were deployed to the Airport, for clearance operation using the Armoured Personnel Carrier.

The Kaduna State Police Command spokesman, ASP Muhammad Jalige is yet to confirmed the details at the time of filing this report.
The Kaduna International Airport is located in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.