Over 200 bandits attacked the airport, according to workers who asked to remain anonymous to Tribune Online.

They were saying in Hausa, ‘Zamu rufe airport ba jirgi da zai tashi,’ according to a member of staff. (This airport will be closed.) No planes will be able to fly in and out.)

‘The bandits that attacked the runway were over 200,’ according to the employees, and the attack began approximately midnight on Saturday.

“They started attacking the airport around midnight. The bandits were alleging that the military personnel took away their cows.

“The military were able to repel them that midnight and we thought that was all. 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.

“The security man was rushed to the hospital and he was confirmed dead.

“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,” the source said.

Many of the employees have already left the airport, according to reports, and more military officers have been dispatched to the location to conduct a clearance operation with an armored personnel carrier.

When contacted, ASP Muhammad Jalige, a spokesman for the Kaduna State Police Command, promised to call the area’s DPO.