The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Air Force

  • ‘Boko Haram destroys three aircraft, two helicopters’

    ‘Boko Haram destroys three aircraft, two helicopters’

    The Defence Headquarters said yesterday that three de-commissioned aircraft and two helicopters were incapacitated by Boko Haram insurgents.

    It said movement in the city had been restricted while troops are running after the fleeing insurgents, who were mortally wounded.

    The DHQ also said normal flights had resumed at the airport after the insurgents were repelled.

    The Defence Headquarters gave the situation report in a statement in Abuja by its spokesman, Brig-Gen. Chris Olukolade, in Abuja.

    The statement said: “Nigerian security forces today repelled a pre-dawn attack on Maiduguri by suspected terrorists.

    “Military locations, such as Nigerian Air Force Base and some Nigerian Army locations in Maiduguri, were targeted during the attack.

    “Three decommissioned military aircraft as well as two helicopters were incapacitated in the course of the attack. Two Air Force personnel were also wounded while 24 insurgents died during the exchange of fire.

    “Security forces are in pursuit of the terrorists in the Djemtillo general area along the Maiduguri/Banishek axis.

    “Movements in Maiduguri and environs have been restricted. Citizens are enjoined to report any of the fleeing insurgents, most of whom could be identified with gunshot wounds whenever they are sighted.

    “Meanwhile, normal flights operations to and from the Maiduguri Airport, which were earlier temporarily disrupted, has resumed.”

    The Borno State Government imposed a 24-hour curfew on Maiduguri.

    A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Jidda, said: “In consultation with the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri, the Borno State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew

    “During the period of curfew, government pleads with all citizens to remain calm.

    “Only vehicles on emergency calls and essential services are allowed to move while the curfew will be lifted as soon as situation improves.”

  • Air Force promotes 107 senior officers

    The Nigerian Air Force on Wednesday announced the promotion of 107 senior officers.

    The affected officers are 15 Air Vice Marshals, 39 Air Commodores, 31 Group Captains and 22 Wing Commanders.

    Those promoted to the rank of Air Vice Marshal are – Air Vice Marshal Elam Nzokala; Air Vice Marshal Christopher Gudi; Air Vice Marshal Suleiman Dambo; Air Vice Marshal Victor Udoh; Air Vice Marshal Chukwuma Mojekwu and Air Vice Marshal Emmanuel Akogu.

    Others are  – Air Vice Marshal Eche Agwungwu; Air Vice Marshal Muhammadu Muhammed; Air Vice Marshal Uko Ebong; Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Umaru; Air Vice Marshal Benjamin Nweze; Air Vice Marshal Sani Ahmed; Air Vice Marshal Rufus Ojuawo; Air Vice Marshal Lawal Alao; and Air Vice Marshal Stephen Onuh.

    Those elevated to the rank of Air Commodore are – Air Commodore Oluwole Akinsanya; Air Commodore Isiaka Amao; Air Commodore Ayuba Lassa; Air Commodore Christopher Umolu; and Air Commodore Abdulganiyu Olabisi; and Air Commodore Danladi Bausa.

    Other newly promoted Air Commodores are – Air Commodore Ibukun Ojeyemi; Air Commodore Remigius Ekeh; Air Commodore Christopher Dola; Air Commodore Lazarus Mshelia; Aliyu Pani;  Dahiru Sanda; Mahmud Madi; and Usman Suleiman.

    The rest are – Charles Ohwo, Mohammed Yakubu, Emmanuel Wonah, Idi Lubo, Akugbe Iyamu, Morgan Idonibo, Dauda Prayero, John Ochomma, Sonny Ohemu, Paul Jemitola, Sambo Usman, Emenike Umeoka, Chinwedu Onyike, Taofiki Oladega, Musa Tanko, Hyacinth Eze, Ayodele Dudusola, Nelson Camday, Christopher Egwoba, Abdullahi Kassimu, lliyasu Yahaya, Olatokunbo Adesanya, Dele Alonge, Ado Inuwa and Emmanuel Akinbayo.

    The newly promoted Group Captains are – Group Captain Anthony Ekpe, Group Captain Ikechukwu Ogbodo, Group Captain Gideon Bako, Group Captain Okey Ezeanyagu, Group Captain Anthony Martins, Group Captain Esen Efanga, Group Captain Ndubuisi Okoro, Group Captain Micheal Ekwueme, Group Captain Chidiebere Obiabaka and Group Captain Simon Peter.

    A statement issued by Air Commodore D.J Alonge on behalf of the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Air Force said the promotions take immediate effect.

  • Air Force appoints senior officers

    Air Force appoints senior officers

    The Nigerian Air Force has appointed two officers for Tactical Air Command and Mobility Command in its postings and appointments announced yesterday.

    Among the appointments are Branch Chiefs at the Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force and Commandant Air Force Institute of Technology.

    Air Vice Marshal DS Dilliomono, formerly Chief of Training and Operations, is now the Chief of Policy and Plans at the Headquarters. The former Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command, Makurdi, Air Vice Marshal C. Onyemaobi, takes his place as Chief of Training and Operations.

    Air Vice Marshal HR Mohammed is the Chief of Aircraft Engineering, Headquarters.

    The Air Officers Commanding are Air Vice Marshal AN Amosu, formerly the Director of Operations at the Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force, is now the Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command, Makurdi.

    Air Vice Marshal CN Chukwu, the Director of Policy, now takes charge as the Air Officer Commanding Mobility Command, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Air Vice Marshal TA Adokwu is now the Commandant of Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna.

    Air Vice Marshal AA Iya moves from Defence Headquarters to Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force as the Director of Policy.

    Air Vice Marshal OT Oguntoyinbo takes charge as the Director of Electronic Warfare at the Defence Headquarters. Air Vice Marshal SO Abosede is now the Director of Operations at the headquarters.

    Air Vice Marshal TI Omenyi is the Managing Director, Aeronautical Engineering and Technical Service Limited; Air Vice Marshal AO Odunlade takes his seat as the Chairman, Defence Headquarters. Air Vice Marshal SO Abosede is now the Director of Operations at the Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force.

    Air Vice Marshal TL Danbaki is the Director of Evaluation. Air Commodore IA Odun-Ayo moves to 401 Aircraft Maintenance Depot as Commander.

    Air Commodore JA Gbamwuan takes charge as Director of Research and Development. Air Commodore BA Abakpa is the Command Operation Officer Headquarter, Tactical Air Command.

    Air Commodore OJ Osahor moves to 337 Base Services Group as Commander while Air Commodore B Garba is now the Director of Air Traffic Services at the Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force.

    Air Commodore IM Pawa moves to Defence Headquarters (DIA) as DTS; Air Commodore CE Okoye is now the Commander 201 Heavy Airlift Group; while Air Commodore Balogun takes over as Commander 79 Composite Group.

    Air Commodore YB Ishola is for Headquarters, Training Command as Command Training Officer. Air Commodore FM Makinde takes over as Director of Air Engineering at the Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force.

    Air Commodore EI Odok is now Director of Education; Air Commodore JK Baba takes charge as Command Evaluation Officer at the Headquarters, Tactical Air Command.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Air Force graduates 21 on intelligence gathering

    21 students of the Nigerian Air Force yesterday graduated from various courses on advanced intelligence gathering to contain the menace of terrorism in the country.
    The graduating students were presented certificates and awards of performance to signify the high premium the Federal Government places on anti-terrorism.
    The commandant of the Nigerian Air Force School of Intelligence (NAFSAINT), Group Captain B. A Omoyungbo, while conducting the ceremony at NAF Base Makurdi, explained the students were in the school for a 16-week course.
    The training, he said, is critical to the achievement of a terror-free nation.
    Omoyungbo noted the current global security threats has left government with no choice than to focus on social media intelligence, which he pointed was successfully experimented during the 2011 riots in the United Kingdom.

  • Air Force graduates 467 recruits in Kaduna

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Friday graduated 467 recruits of its Basic Military Training Course, with a warning to them to be extra security conscious.

    The Chief of Policies and Plans, NAF Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Abiodun Ogunaike made the call during the passing out parade of the recruits in Kaduna.

    Ogunaike also charged them to respect civil authority and protect Nigeria’s democracy.

    “ Your duty is to protect all Nigerians irrespective of their ethnic background or religious inclination.

    “You must remain non-partisan and avoid any act capable of denting the image of the Air Force.

    “You are aware of the internal security challenges facing our country now.

    “As part of the effort to prepare for the task ahead, and in pursuance of our mission-oriented force development, the curriculum for your course was reviewed with the introduction of internal security module.

    “If you happen to be involved in internal security operations as you leave here, you must take advantage of the knowledge and skill that you have acquired to safeguard lives and property,” Ogunaike stated.

    He reminded them of their responsibilities to the nation and the need for them to maintain high level of discipline, fitness, commitment, loyalty and determination.

    Also speaking, the Guest of Honour and the state Deputy Gov. Nuhu Bajoga commended the support of the Nigerian Air Force in the efforts to ensure sustained peace in the state.

    Bajoga said that, aside being part of the state security council, their aircraft had been used to access crisis areas in times of need.

  • Nigerian Air Force plane crashes in Niger

    Nigerian Air Force plane crashes in Niger

    Two Nigerian Air Force pilots died yesterday in Niamey, Niger Republic as the Alpha combat jet they were flying crashed at Dargol village, about 60 kilometres west of Niamey.

    The jet, which crashed at 1.05 pm, was not on combat mission, Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Chris Olukolade, said in a statement.

    According to the Defence spokesman, the aircraft was one of the fighter jets deployed on the ongoing military operations in the crisis-ridden Mali.

    The statement said: “A Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet aircraft on a non-combatant mission crashed today at Dargol Village at about 1305hours (1.05pm), 60Km West of Niamey.

    “The two pilots on board the fighter jet also died. The Alpha Jet aircraft is one of the four based in Niamey, Niger Republic as part of Africa-led Support Mission in Mali.

    “Investigation has commenced to unravel the circumstances that led to the accident. Further details on the crash will be made known as soon as the families of the deceased pilots are informed”.

    Chaibou Massalatchi, the head of Niamey’s airport, said the plane took off to do a reconnaissance mission.

    The Nigerian military is taking part in the regional effort to support France’s operation in northern Mali.

    France launched the military operation in January to oust al-Qaida-linked jihadists from power in northern Mali.

    Some 6,000 troops from neighboring countries including Nigeria and Niger have been taking part, though Chad has said it’s withdrawing its nearly 2,000 soldiers.