Serious Commotion as Nigerian Air Force Overflies Gambia Ready to Strike at Jammeh

The Nigerian air force is flying over The
Gambia, an official said Thursday, as African
troops seemed ready to force incumbent
Yahya Jammeh to quit after his December
election defeat, AFP reports.
This comes after President-elect Adama
Barrow was sworn in at the country’s
embassy in Senegal, while Jammeh has
continued to cling on to power.
Confirming the news, Nigerian Air Force
spokesman Ayodele Famuyiwa told AFP.
“I confirm that the armed reconnaissance
air force are over Gambia.
“They have the capacity to strike.”
Famuyiwa said that negotiations were still
ongoing with Jammeh, a leader who has
ruled the West African country for 22 years.
“What we understand right now is that it
appears he’s trying to reconsider his
position, he may stand down,” Famuyiwa
said, speaking from Abuja.
“But we have our troops there and they are
there to enforce the mandate.”
The UN Security Council was set to vote
Thursday on backing ECOWAS efforts to
force Jammeh to hand over power as the
West African regional bloc amassed a
military force ready to intervene.
The Economic Community Of West African
States has repeatedly called on Jammeh to
accept his defeat and honour the country’s
constitution.