Photo illustration of Nigerian military uniform. / ShutterstockWashington, D.C. Newsroom, Jul 4, 2022 / 11:41 am (CNA).Residents of predominantly Christian villages in north-central Nigeria that came under attack from Fulani bandits on motorcycles June 5 maintain that a government helicopter fired on the villages' defenders, but authorities have denied the charge, saying the crew targeted the assailants.The fighting, which lasted for several hours, took place in a group of villages about 30 miles south of Kaduna City, the capital of Kaduna. The raid left 32 villagers dead and 29 others, chiefly women, kidnapped, according to media reports and security authorities.In its aftermath, authorities have sought to reassure residents that the government is on their side in the bloody conflict with Fulani bandits."An air force helicopter (under operation whirl punch) dispatched to the area, intercepted the bandits at the last location (Ungwan Maikori) and engaged them as they ...