Nigerian Air Force repels attacks, kills 5 gunmen in northwestern state: spokesman

ABUJA, April 1 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said Monday its special Forces team killed at least five gunmen while repelling attacks in two villages in the country's northwestern state of Zamfara.

Ibikunle Daramola, NAF spokesman, who confirmed this in a statement reaching Xinhua in Abuja, said the gunmen had invaded Hayin Mahe and Hayin Kanawa villages in Gusau, capital of Zamfara, on Sunday.

Many other attackers fled into a forest with gunshot wounds, the military official said.

Daramola said some villagers, including two women and a child, were kidnapped during the invasion. The victims were, however, rescued by the air Force team who pursued the gunmen into a thick forest nearby, following a gunfight with the troops.

According to him, the prompt response of the air Force team followed intelligence reports of the activities of some gunmen in that area.

The air Force spokesman said the gunmen operated from forests in the area.

Zamfara, as well as neighboring Kaduna State, has witnessed a series of onslaughts by gunmen in recent months.