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Tag: Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya

  • Air force trains 50 specialty personnel at NICT

    Air force trains 50 specialty personnel at NICT

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says its currently training its Works Specialty personnel at National Institute of Construction Technology (NICT), Uromi, Edo.

    Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Adesanya stated that 50 NAF personnel were participating in the training programme which would last four months.

    He added that the personnel were undergoing training in specialised fields such as plumbing and pipefitting, power and domestic electrical engineering, surveying, as well as masonry.

    He noted that “the training programme is an initiative of Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who had continued to place emphasis on capacity building, being prerequisite for optimum service delivery.

    Read Also: NAF procures five Super Mushshak Aircraft to fight Boko Haram

    “It is noteworthy that the ongoing training of the works personnel marks the first time NAF will conduct proper basic training for airmen/airwomen of the Works Specialty.

    “In the past, some of the personnel deployed to the Works Specialty were qualified tradesmen, while many required basic training in specialised fields.”

    Adesanya noted that most works personnel had not been receiving the required formal training and hence relied on on-the-job training to function in the service.

    Consequently, the desired level of professionalism to meet the nation’s contemporary security challenges had been largely missing in NAF works personnel, he added.

    He explained that the training was designed to add value to the skill and knowledge already possessed by NAF works personnel, as way of enhancing service delivery.

    “In addition to facilitating smooth career progression for NAF works personnel, the expertise that the training at NICT provides would be handy in barracks maintenance.

    “With increased construction activities across NAF units, the services of well-trained artisans are needed for quality output, especially in the execution of direct labour projects,” he said.

    Adesanya said NAF planned to train a total of 200 works personnel at NICT, with the current set of 50 trainees forming the first batch.

    “On completion of the training of the first batch, another batch of 50 personnel is expected to train at the institute.

    “The training of NAF personnel at NICT is one of the numerous ways NAF is partnering with local institutions to enhance capacity building, with cost saving implications for the nation.”

  • NAF Jets Bombs Boko Haram hideouts, kill scores

    NAF Jets Bombs Boko Haram hideouts, kill scores

    The Nigerian Air Force ( NAF ) said on Wednesday that it has carried out two aircraft attacks and bombardments of Boko Haram hideouts in Borno state to signal the commencement of Operation Ruwan Wuta II, to further decimate the ability of the terrorists.

    It added that the air strikes coupled with two helicopter attacks on the terror group has led to the death of scores of them and complete destruction of their structures.

    The Director of the NAF Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya in a statement noted that the operation was carried out after series of survaillance and intelligence reports.

    Air Commodore Adesanya said: “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has commenced Operation RUWAN WUTA II, as part of efforts to further decimate the ability of the Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) to freely operate in the country.

    “The Operation, which commenced on 23 October 2017, is essentially an intensive day and night aerial bombardment that is designed to rain significant fire on freshly discovered hideouts of the BHTs.

    “On the first day of the operation, the NAF conducted several Air Interdiction missions in the Northeast, including one on a location in Garin Maloma.

    “Previous intelligence reports, gathered through Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions by NAF ISR platforms had revealed the presence of a large number of BHTs in some dispersed structures in Garin Maloma.

    “Consequently, the location was attacked, in succession, by two Alpha Jet aircraft. The first Alpha Jet aircraft attacked the settlement with bombs, which destroyed the targeted structures and caused fire around the structures where the BHTs were hiding, sending a few survivors scampering for safety.

    “The second Alpha Jet aircraft, which strafed the area with rockets, subsequently took out some of the fleeing BHT survivors. Similarly, BHT locations in places such as Arra and Boboshe, amongst others, were successfully attacked by the NAF Mi-17 helicopter and the newly acquired Mi-35M helicopter.”

    Read Also: Boko Haram kill three soldiers, injure five in an ambush 

  • Borno: NAF commences another medical outreach

    Borno: NAF commences another medical outreach

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), on Thursday said it had commenced another round of medical outreach programme in Borno.

    The Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja  on Thursday.

    According to Adesanya, the new round of medical outreach programme was primarily aimed at enhancing available NAF medical facilities and personnel at the Medical Centre of NAF 105 Composite Group (CG), in Maiduguri.

    “This is to position the medical centre to adequately attend to the anticipated increase in the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as a result of the intensive day and night aerial bombardments by NAF,” he said.

    In the statement, the NAF Chief of Medical Services Branch, AVM Saleh Shinkafi, also said the programme was an initiative of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

    Shinkafi said that it was also designed to win the hearts and minds of the locals in the conflict areas.

    He said a team comprising different medical specialists had been deployed to the 105 CG Medical Centre to augment the existing medical manpower for the operation.

    He said Abubakar had also directed that surgeries be conducted, at no cost to the IDPs, for those requiring surgical interventions.

    “Upon deployment, the medical team immediately started attending to critical surgical cases in IDPs camps around Maiduguri, including Bakassi, NYSC, Gubio, Teachers’ Village, CAN Centre, Shuari, Farm Centre, Goni Kachalai, Muna Garage and Dalori.

    “So far, NAF medical outreach team has successfully performed 23 general surgeries and 30 eye surgeries on IDPs from the various camps at no cost to them.

    “The team of medical specialists extended the medical outreach to the IDPs camp in Rann from where over 30 IDPs had already been transported by  NAF helicopter for surgical interventions in Maiduguri,” Shinkafi said.

    He said further that the exercise was fourth in the series of surgical interventions lined up by NAF for the IDPs in Borno.

    According to him, it is envisaged that surgeries would be conducted on about 150 IDPs during the exercise.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NAF commenced Operation “Ruwan Wuta” few days ago to further degrade the capability of the insurgents thereby, preventing them from regrouping to cause havoc.

  • Air Force sustains Air strikes against Boko Haram

    Air Force sustains Air strikes against Boko Haram

    The Nigerian Air Force continued its air strikes against the Boko Haram insurgent group Tuesday with the bombing of the terrorists’ hideout in Sambisa forest.

    According to the Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, the latest operations have led to the destruction of structures belonging to the insurgents.

    Adesanya said in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja that the air interdiction was carried out by the Alpha Jet F-Ni aircraft.

    He said: “On the fourth day of the ongoing intensive bombardment of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) hideouts in the Sambisa general area, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) conducted air interdiction on a BHT settlement in Njimia on 10 September 2017.

    “NAF Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms had previously confirmed that several structures used by the terrorists as meeting points were in the location.

    “The air interdiction was conducted by the Alpha Jet and F-7Ni aircraft, which took turns to attack the location with bombs. Subsequent Battle Damage Assessment showed that the targeted BHT structures were destroyed as a result of the attacks.

    “The attacks were designed to further break the will and capability of the BHTs to regroup against own surface forces”.

  • Makurdi: NAF provides medical assistance to flood victims

    Makurdi: NAF provides medical assistance to flood victims

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), on Monday, inaugurated medical assistance programme to meet the medical needs of the recent flood victims in Makurdi, Benue.

    The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

    According to Adesanya, the programme was inaugurated by Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Tactical Air Command (TAC) of NAF, AVM MA Idris.

    He said the programme was part of the Command’s corporate social responsibility and was borne out of the desire to contribute to the medical needs of the flood victims.

    Adesanya said that Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue thanked NAF for its assistance to the state, especially in the area of humanitarian services in the country.

    “A few days ago, following a downpour, many houses in Makurdi were submerged in flood water.

    “The persons affected by the flood were rendered homeless and several medical casualties were recorded.

    “Thousands of victims of the flood were accommodated at the Makurdi International Market, where NAF medical outpost programme was inaugurated,” he quoted Ortom as saying.

    The director recalled that NAF also recently transported the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and other officials to Makurdi in response to a Presidential directive.

    Meanwhile, the Chief of Air Staff, (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has directed the Medical Services Branch of NAF to provide more drugs and deploy more medical personnel to complement the efforts of the command.

  • NAF aircraft crashes in Kaduna, kills one

    NAF aircraft crashes in Kaduna, kills one

    A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Air Beetle Aircraft has crashed in Kaduna, killing, a pilot instructor who is on board.

    A statement from the NAF Headquarters and signed by its Director of Information and Public Relations, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, said the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has ordered the constitution of a board of inquiry to determine the immediate and remote causes of the crash.

    The statement which did not give details of the crash and the site of the incident reads: “A Nigerian Air Force NAF Air Beetle Aircraft today (Thursday) crashed in Kaduna while on a mission.

    “The only soul on board the aircraft, one of the NAF’s experienced instructor pilots, was unfortunately lost during the mishap.

    “The cause of the incident is unknown but the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) has immediately directed the constitution of a board of inquiry to determine the immediate and remote causes of the crash.

    “The unfortunate incident is a tragic reminder of the hazards associated with the flying profession. The CAS and the entire NAF family commiserate with the relatives of the late pilot instructor.”

    Meanwhile, the Director of Military Intelligence, Nigerian Army, Major General Abubakar Tarfa, has said the demand for increasing security presence across the country had negatively affected the Nigerian Army formations in their desire to achieve qualitative training for personnel.

    Gen. Tarfa spoke as a special guest of honour at the Guards Brigade Third Quarter Inter-unit Cross country Competition 2017, held at Mambila Barracks, Abuja, on Thursday.

    He said with careful planning, innovation and commitment and quality training of personnel by formations, the targeted goals could still be achieved.

    He tasked commanders at all levels and soldiers to train hard and realistically too, to meet up with contemporary security challenges.

     

     

  • NAF deploys air assets, personnel to Kaduna

    NAF deploys air assets, personnel to Kaduna

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said on Saturday it has deployed armed helicopter with force protection elements and other logistics support to Kafanchan, Kaduna State.

    The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

    He said the deployment was part of efforts to ensure lasting peace in the Southern part of Kaduna State.

    The director added the deployment, at the instance of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, was to complement the efforts of surface forces on ground to keep peace in the area.

    “The personnel and other supporting staff will operate from a newly established NAF Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Kafanchan.

    “They will be reinforced with NAF Special Forces to protect lives and property and stop the incessant clashes in the area,” Adesanya said.

    NAN

     

  • Air Force graduates 1,928 recruits

    Air Force graduates 1,928 recruits

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Friday graduated 1,928 recruits who completed their basic training at the NAF Military Training Centre, Kaduna

    A statement from the Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya said it was the first time the institution graduated such a large number of recruits.

    He said it was made possible due to the expansion of facilities at the training centre with the capacity to train about 2,500 at a time.

    The statement reads: “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) today, 21 July 2017, graduated 1,928 recruits, who have just successfully completed the Basic Military Training Course (BMTC) at the NAF’s Military Training Centre, Kaduna.

    “The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who was the Reviewing Officer and Guest of Honour during the colourful Passing Out Parade (POP) ceremony, stated that it was the first time in the history of the NAF that such a huge number of recruits would be graduating at the same time. 

    “According to him, the feat was made possible by the recent expansion of the training facilities at the MTC to train up to 2,500 recruits at a time as against the initial capacity of 500 recruits. As a result, the NAF had successfully trained, in all, 4,163 recruits for the Nigerian Air Force, between    July 2015 and today, thereby reducing unemployment in the country.

    “He, therefore, expressed profound gratitude to Mr President who, in spite of harsh economic realities, continues to support the NAF to enable it meet its operational requirements and the welfare of its personnel. 

    “Air Marshal Abubakar charged the graduands to take advantage of the knowledge and skill acquired, from the newly introduced Internal Security Module, to safeguard lives and properties wherever and whenever they were deployed for Internal Security duties. In addition, the CAS reminded the new recruits of their civic responsibility.

    “You are subject to both military and civil law. Hence, you must submit to civil authority and protect our democracy. I urge you to treat all our people with respect and dignity,” he added.

    The CAS also presented awards to the best 3 graduands in order of merit namely Recruits Anyim Emmanuel, Awokoya Adeshola and Nwamiri Chiomaobi respectively. Air Marshal Abubakar seized the opportunity to commission a new project and also inspected other ongoing ones.

    The POP ceremony was attended by many senior military officers, serving and retired, as well as dignitaries, including the representatives of His Excellency, the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and the Emir of Zazzau, Dr Shehu Idris (CFR).

    Many of the new recruits from the BMTC 37/2017, who have received special training, would be deployed to the North East to enhance airfield protection and also support fighting land troops. It is recalled that the NAF recently released the list of another set of over 3,000 successful recruits, who would soon commence the BMTC.

  • NAF helicopter crashes in Borno

    NAF helicopter crashes in Borno

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) confirmed on Thursday that one of its helicopters crashed into a pool of water in Maiduguri, Borno State.

    However, no life was lost in the incident.

    The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has constituted a panel of inquiry to unearth the cause of the incident.

    A statement issued by NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, said members of the board of inquiry are already in Maiduguri to carry out their assignment on the crash which occurred in the early hours of Thursday.

    The statement reads: “A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Agusta 109 Light Utility Helicopter has suffered a mishap while undertaking a liaison mission targeted at further enhancing the synergy between the Nigerian Army and the NAF in the ongoing counter-insurgency operation in the North East.

    “The incident, which occurred today, 6 July 2017, was as a result of an airborne technical fault with the helicopter.

    “The experienced NAF pilots, however, successfully ditched the helicopter into a pool of water to minimize damage and loss of lives.

    “Consequently, there were neither any injuries nor loss of lives to anyone on board or on the ground.

    “The Chief of the Air Staff has immediately directed the constitution of a board of inquiry to determine the exact cause of the incident while efforts are ongoing to recover the helicopter and members of the board are already in Maiduguri to commence work.

    “The NAF continues to solicit the understanding and support of the general populace as it daily strives to ensure the security of Nigeria and Nigerians.”

     

     

  • Coup rumours mischievous, baseless – NAF

    Coup rumours mischievous, baseless – NAF

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has dismissed the allegation of a coup plot by an online media platform as mischievous and baseless.

    The NAF, in a statement issued on Thursday, said it remains loyal to the present administration and the Nigerian Constitution, insisting that it would do nothing to truncate the nation’s democracy.

    Reacting to an online publication on the matter, the Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, said “the attention of the Nigerian Air Force has been drawn to a mischievous allegation by an online media organization of the NAF’s involvement in the planning of a purported coup d’état to take over the reins of government.

    “The NAF considers it most ridiculous that anyone in his/her right senses, especially in the Twenty First Century, could still be fixated on the possibility of effecting a change in government in Nigeria in any way other than through the ballot box.

    “It would be recalled that the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar, had on 18 May 2017, while commissioning new residential accommodation for personnel at NAF Base, Bill Clinton Drive Abuja, emphatically pledged the loyalty of the NAF to the President and Commander-in-Chief as well as to the Nigerian Constitution.

    “It is imperative to state that the earlier stance of the NAF on the unfortunate coup rumours has not changed.

    “The NAF is a highly professional and apolitical Service that is focused on ensuring the territorial integrity of Nigeria as well as facilitating a safe and secure environment for Nigerians to prosper while conducting their legal businesses. The strong belief of the NAF in democratic values was also demonstrated during the recent Gambian crisis.

    “The NAF was the first and only air force that ensured the will of Gambians was not subverted by promptly deploying its fighter aircraft, in addition to its transport aircraft to airlift needed troops and logistics, in readiness to preserve the country’s democracy, in line with the Federal Government’s directives.

    “It is therefore inconceivable that the same NAF would be involved in any way in any attempt to dismantle the political structure in Nigeria.

    “It appears some individuals with unknown intentions are bent on further spreading the malicious misinformation and hence, the need for the NAF to react.

    “The Chief of the Air Staff would like to assure Nigerians as a whole of the unalloyed loyalty of all NAF personnel to the President and Commander-in-Chief as well as to the Government of Nigeria as democratically constituted.

    “We therefore appeal to those peddling these false stories to cease, as they are constituting a source of distraction to NAF personnel, who are sacrificing on a daily basis to ensure the security of Nigeria.”