The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Air Force

  • Air Force strikes Boko Haram in Borno

    The Nigerian Air Force said on Tuesday that it has carried out air strikes against Boko Haram terrorists at Auno, Borno State.

    It said in a statement that the attacks on the terrorists followed exchange of gunfire between ground troops and the terrorists throughout the night.

    The spokesman of the Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola explained that Boko Haram trucks were destroyed while several Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised.

    He said :”The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has destroyed some terrorists’ gun trucks in air strikes conducted at Auno in Borno State.

    ” The attacks were executed Tuesday, 7 January 2019, whilst providing close air support for ground troops who were responding to an attack on their location.

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    “The ATF scrambled a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet and an Mi-35M Helicopter Gunship, supported by an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, to locate and engage the group of terrorists’ gun trucks.

    “Overhead the target area, the ground troops were seen engaging the terrorists, who were in a convoy of gun trucks, in a fierce gun battle.

    “After deconfliction, the Alpha Jet and Mi-35M took turns in engaging the terrorists causing them to beat an immediate retreat. In the process, 3 gun trucks were hit and destroyed while several of their fighters were neutralized.

    “The ball of fire from exploding munitions in one of gun trucks was visibly seen. Some of the survivors, who were seen attempting to flee the location, were taken out in follow-on attacks. “

  • Air Force strikes terrorists in Damasak

    THE Air Force last night said it has destroyed gun trucks belonging to the Boko Haram terrorists and neutralised some of the insurgents in an attack.

    Its spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said the attack, which was carried out in Damasak, northern Borno, was conducted with support of ground troops.

    He said:  “The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has destroyed some Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) gun trucks in air strikes conducted near Damasak in Northern Borno State.

    “The attacks were executed yesterday, January 5, 2019, while providing close air support for ground troops at Damasak, who were in pursuit of the terrorists who had attempted to breach their location.

    “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Mi-35M Helicopter Gunship engaged the group of terrorists’ gun trucks in successive waves of attacks as they retreated, destroying and immobilising three of them while causing significant damage to others and neutralising several terrorists.”

  • Air Force neutralises bandits in Zamfara again

    The Nigerian Air Force said on Friday that it has destroyed another hideout of armed bandits in Zamfara state, killing some of the bandits during the attacks.

    Air Force Director of Information and Public Relations, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said in a statement said the strikes on the bandits were carried out following credible intelligence reports confirming their presence in the area.

    Air Commodore Daramola said : “The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation DIRAN MIKIYA has destroyed another armed bandits’ hideout and neutralized several of their fighters near Doumbourou Hill in Zamfara State.

    “The attack was executed yesterday, 2 January 2019, following human intelligence (HUMINT) reports, which were later confirmed by Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, indicating that a large number of bandits, armed with high calibre weapons, regularly assemble at a compound around the foot of the Hill before going out on operations.

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    ” Accordingly, the ATF scrambled 2 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) attack helicopters, supported by an ISR platform, to engage the bandits and destroy their compound. The helicopters strafed the target area in successive waves of attack, with the first wave causing some damage to the structures and neutralizing some of their fighters.

    “The second wave was sequenced to engage the armed bandits as they re-emerged out of their hiding places, thus inflicting further fatalities on them. Credible HUMINT sources later revealed that the leader of the group was amongst those killed during the attack.

    ” The ATF, will continue to work in close coordination with surface forces and other security agencies, to conduct reconnaissance and air interdiction missions with a view to restoring normalcy to the affected States in the Northwest”.

  • Boko Haram: Air Force strikes terrorists

    A BUILDING purportedly being used as meeting point by terrorists in Borno has been destroyed, the Nigerian Air Force claimed yesterday.

    This is as Defence Minister Brig.-Gen. Manzur Dan-Ali visited the Theatre Command of Operation Lafiya Dole yesterday for briefing by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai and military Commanders in the Theatre.

    The minister promised to report back to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The meeting venue, in a village near Baga, Borno State, was destroyed in an air raid on Tuesday by the Air Force, which carried out air strikes after intelligence reports showed the presence of the terrorists in the building

    Air Force spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said in a statement that scores of the terrorists were neutralised during the attack.

    He said: “The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has destroyed a building being used as meeting venue by Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters near Baga in Northern Borno State.

    “The attack was conducted yesterday (Monday), 1 January 2019, after series of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions confirmed that the building was being used as an assembly point by the terrorists.

    “Consequently, the ATF dispatched a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet aircraft to attack the building. A direct hit was recorded on the target leading to significant damage to the structure and neutralisation of the occupants.”

    Defence Minister Mansur Dan Ali promised to deliver all the recommendations of military Commanders of Operation Lafiya Dole to the President for action.

    Some parts of the Northeast, especially Borno and Yobe, have witnessed resurgent attacks by Boko Haram insurgents in recent times.

    The minister was in Borno for briefing by the COAS and Theatre Commanders on the challenges and the way foward in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the state.

    Gen. Dan-Ali said: “The briefings are on what to know on happenings in the theater of war and what is expected of the President to do and make sure things work.

    “I will take home with all the recommendations and briefings that were done by each and every Commander here at the Military Command and Control Centre, Maiduguri.”

    The minister plans to visit the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) Headquarters in Ndjamena, Chad, for similar briefings on counter-insurgency and terrorism operations in Lake Chad region.

    The MNJTF is made up of troops drawn from neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon to fight Boko Haram insurgency and secure the Lake Chad Basin.

  • Military wives empower 188 women

    It was a gathering of senior Army, Navy, Air Force and Police officers’ wives. It was convened by the wife of the Chief of Defence Staff, Mrs Omobolanle Olonisakin. And the occasion was chaired by the wife of the former Chief of Defence Staff, Mrs Fatimah Ogohi.

    The venue was the National Secretariat of Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) located at Asokoro, Abuja. And inside the hall were graduating students seated in their colourful attires and beaming with smiles and excitement.

    There were other guests, such as the representatives of the Chief of Defence Staff, Commodore A M Adegboyega, and the Special Guest of Honour Hajiya Aminat Modupe Ibrahim.

    The graduating students were especially happy for the empowerment that would cap the ceremony as starter packs ranging from sewing and knitting machines, electricity generators and driers, grinding machines and other items were on display for them to take home.

    They would also be given cash to start up various businesses depending on the areas of their training. It was a programme packaged in the past three years to bring succour and relief to women and widows. Some of the women lost their husbands in war fronts as the nation contend with security challenges ranging from Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) attacks, to cattle rustling, kidnapping and banditry.

    Addressing the gathering, the President of DEPOWA, Mrs Olonisakin said no fewer than 188 students trained in various vocational skills in the past three years have been graduated by the Skill Acquisition and Training Centre being managed by the association.

    According to her, 80 of those successfully trained are widows. They have also been given starter packs to enable them practice what they have learnt and to further empower others in an effort to reduce poverty in the country.

    She added that another batch of 52 students are graduating from the Skill Centre this year, among whom were 11 widows and wives of fallen heroes.

    Mrs Olonisakin who is the wife of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin explained that the programme was put together to keep faith with “our sincere belief in the development of human capitalin line with our objective of giving succour to the less privileged in the society.”

    She said, “To the graduands today marks the end of your training and what you have learnt while at the center is to prepare you to face the challenges ahead.  We have groomed you to secure your future and in the process be an employer of labour and give livelihood to others too.

    “Hence, I urge you to be bold and courageous and put to use what you have learnt. As it is our custom since the inception of the empowerment programme, apart from providing the widows amongst you with monthly stipends for transportation during the course of the programme,  they will be given trade starter packs and financial assistance to secure a shop as they graduate today”.

     

  • Air Force strikes bandits in Zamfara

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said it has launched attacks against bandits in their hideouts at Tsamari in Birni Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

    In a statement, NAF’s spokesman Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said the air strikes led to the death of scores of bandits and the destruction of their weaponry in the village.

    He said the air interdiction, supported with a video footage, followed intelligence reports confirming the presence of the bandits in the area.

    Air Commodore Daramola said: “The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Diran Mikiya has successfully neutralised an armed bandits’ hideout at a compound in the West of Tsamari in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area) of Zamfara State.

    “The attack was conducted at dawn on December 28, following intelligence reports that the compound was being used by armed bandits as a camp from where they launch attacks against innocent civilians.

    “Accordingly, the ATF detailed a NAF Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, which confirmed the presence of bandits armed with high calibre weapons at the location.

    “Consequently, an Alpha Jet aircraft was dispatched to strike the compound, recording direct hits on the target area and resulting in significant damage to the structures and neutralisation of some bandits, as later confirmed by credible human intelligence sources. Surface troops later invaded the compound and recovered some motorcycles abandoned by the fleeing criminals.

  • Air force, Allied troops bomb Baga, retake base

    The Nigerian Air Force on Friday confirmed the bombardment of the Baga military base of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) after the tactical withdrawal of troops.

    The base had come under attacks of the Boko Haram terrorists leading to a number of casualties.

    However, the Air Force noted that the jet raids resulted in the neutralization of scores of Boko Haram terrorists and the destruction of their vehicles.

    It said 21 sorties were conducted all through the operations to wreck a devastating blow on the terrorists and take control of the general area.

    According to a statement from the spokesman of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola,
    The Air Task Force also provided support for the ground troops and the Nigerian Navy base located at Doron Baga, leading to the routing of the insurgents.

    Air Commodore Daramola explained in the statement supported with a declassified video clips that two helicopter gunships and two Alpha jets as well as Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance platforms were used to dislodge the terrorists from their hideouts.

    The statement reads: “It may be recalled that the Headquarters 7 Brigade Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) Baga came under attack by members of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) on the evening of 26 December 2018.

    ” Upon receipt of the information of the attack, the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE immediately dispatched a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform along with 2 Mi-35M Helicopter Gunships to provide support for the troops to repel the attack.

    ” The NAF ISR aircraft, which was overhead the troops location as at 7.15pm, also worked closely with a Nigerien Air Force and another allied ISR aircraft that were also in the operation area at the time of the attack.

    “The ISR platforms were in contact with the ground troops and assisted in directing their fire against the terrorists, while the helicopter gunships engaged the terrorists at isolated locations destroying some of their vehicles and neutralizing some fighters.

    “The ATF also provided support for Nigerian Army (NA) and Nigerian Navy (NN) troops at the Naval Base at Doron Baga, which equally came under attack by ISWAP fighters on the morning of 27 December 2018. The ATF deployed 2 ISR platforms, 2 Helicopter Gunships and 2 Alpha Jet aircraft to provide ISR and close air support to the troops.

    After establishing communication with the ground troops, the location of the terrorists was ascertained and engaged by the Alpha Jet aircraft.

    “The NAF and allied ISR platforms also spotted 2 ISWAP vehicles heading southwards from Baga and vectored the Alpha Jet aircraft to attack the vehicles, completely destroying one of them and neutralizing the occupants.

    “In order to enhance the quality of coordination between the air and ground operations, the Theatre Commander and Maritime Component  Commander were carried onboard the ISR platform during one of the flights.

    ” In all, the ATF conducted 20 missions in 21 sorties with a total of about 39 hours flown on 26 and 27 December in support of operations in Baga general area.

    “The NAF appreciates the existing synergy with our gallant surface forces as well as our Regional Allies in adding value to our collective efforts to protect our territory and people.”

  • Air Force to deploy air assets in Zamfara

    •Saraki: killings unacceptable

    The Air Force has said it will deploy aircraft and other platforms to Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina states to end banditry, cattle rustling, and other crimes.

    Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who spoke during a visit to the troubled areas, said the security situation in the region required a new response strategy to restore peace and orderliness.

    He said 18 aircraft had been acquired by to respond to security challenges in the country, while 18 were expected in a few months.

    Abubakar added that 13 additional aircraft had been rehabilitated and made serviceable for operations.

    The Air chief, who also visited governors of the three states, praised them for their support to the Armed Forces in tackling insecurity.

    He, however, said security agencies needed intelligence information from locals to track down criminals.

    A statement by NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said the Air chief inspected the Sultan Abubakar III Airport in Sokoto and other platforms.

    The statement reads: “The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on December 26, visited Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto States, for an on-the-spot assessment of the security situations. The CAS visited the governors and interacted with the Commanders, officers and men of Air Force Units.

    “The CAS, who was accompanied by other senior officers from NAF headquarters, embarked on the visit to fashion new strategies for dealing with the emerging insecurity in states of the Northwest affected by banditry.

    “The first port of call was Katsina, which hosts the Headquarters of the Air Task Force (HQ ATF) of Operation DIRAN MIKIYA (OPDM), where he was briefed by the Air Officer Commanding Special Operations Command, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Samson Akpasa, as well as the ATF Commander Air Commodore Ayoola Jolasinmi, on the progress of anti-armed banditry operations in the Northwestern states, before proceeding to Gusau, Zamfara State.

    “The CAS later interacted with the Commander and personnel of 119 FOB, as well as other senior officers in the state, where he encouraged them to intensify their efforts to ensure that the territorial integrity of Nigeria is not undermined in any way.

    “He also appealed to the people of Sokoto to provide useful information that would help security agencies in their operations. Before departing Sokoto, Air Marshal Abubakar opened a water treatment plant at the NAF Base and inspected facilities at Sultan Abubakar III Airport, preparatory to the deployment of NAF aircraft to further boost air operations in the Northwest”.

    He added that Air Marshal Abubakar had visited HQ ATF OPDM, which also served as the Air Component of Operation Sharan Daji (OPSD), and would visit the NAF 119 Forward Operating Base (119 FOB) Sokoto to upgrade facilities to enable the conduct of air operations from Sokoto, for enhanced NAF response capability in dealing more decisive blows on bandits.

    The CAS assured the governors and residents that the NAF, in consonance with the Army and other security agencies, would continue to work round the clock to secure the people and their property.

    The governors thanked Air Marshal Abubakar for the visit, saying the security agencies had been doing their best to curtail banditry, especially since the start of OPDM and the recent Operation 777 under OPSD.

    According to them, however, it appeared the bandits were reacting to the success of the operations by launching a fresh wave of attacks against civilians, regretting that as a result, killings and kidnappings had become daily affairs.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki has described the killings in Zamfara State as barbaric, unacceptable. He called on security agencies to devise a strategy to end the ugly situation.

    Saraki, in a statement by media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said the Zamfara situation was a demonstration that the Northwest has been engulfed by a bloody situation where human lives are wasted daily.

    He said the killings have gone on for too long and the situation has not gotten the desired attention and the right strategy that will stop it, adding that there was a clear indication of systemic failure.

    The statement reads: “There is need for certain and proper profiling of the situation so that we can know whether it is simple cattle rustling, vicious robbery, religious cum ethnic crisis or invasion by foreign forces.

    “Our security agencies must come up with a proper understanding of the situation, the right strategy and deployment of the necessary troops to tackle the menace. We must, within the next few days, send the right signals to the criminals that the Nigerian state will no longer tolerate the blood-letting.

    “We must change our strategy. Also, the President has to take full and direct control. May be the President must widen the consultation within the armed forces in the search for solution to this problem; he must go beyond the first line military top brass. We need to get ideas from more sources than we presently do.

    “I call on President Muhamamdu Buhari to order the security agencies to give him progress report on regularly. There is need for us to use the Zamfara case to demonstrate to all criminals that the government will not tolerate those who hide under whatever guise to shed human blood in our country.

    “We should look at the Zamfara killings as a major threat to our democracy, particularly as we move towards election in the next 50 days. We should not allow criminals take over parts of the country. The situation in that state is an example of why we need to overhaul our security architecture, to bring it to a state where they can tackle emerging challenges.”

  • Badeh: Security expert urges Air Force detectives to unravel killers

    President of the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria (AISSON), Dr. Ona Ekhomu, has called upon the Directorate of Air Provost of the Nigerian Air Force to lead the investigation of the apparent assassination of the former Chief of Defense Staff and erstwhile Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex S Badeh.  Ekhomu said the fact that ACM Badeh was the head of the Air Force Community means that the commitment of Air Provost detectives will be greater in the hunt for the perpetrators.

    In a statement issued in Lagos on Friday, Dr. Ekhomu commiserated with the family of the four star general and urged the Directorate of Air Provost to emulate the dogged determination and investigative skill which the Nigerian Army displayed in unraveling the assassination of Major General Idris Alkali (Rtd) in Plateau State.

    Ekhomu, who is the first chartered security professional in Nigeria urged detectives to revisit the crime scene and search for physical evidence such as bullet casings and any other items of property that might have been left behind by the assassins.

    Ekhomu said that the killing was an act of targeted violence which involved good pre-operational intelligence, surprise, speed and lethal violence for effectiveness.

    “They executed an ambush on the general and his security detail. The goal of this close-quarter combat tactic was to overwhelm a superior force and leave the crime scene before reinforcements arrived.

    “Ambush is one of the oldest but lethal tactic of warfare.  In the Gen. Badeh attack, the targeted violence resulted in an assassination, a kidnap and several casualties”.

    The security expert said that hired killers, like other human beings are creatures of habit. The tactics of the adversaries will reveal much about their methods and motivation.

    He said: “they were obviously on a mission to kill the General.  So it wasn’t bandits who were operating on that notorious stretch of highway.

    “The killers must have learned that the general frequented his farm, they must have surveilled him to know the routes and times he traveled to Keffi, the composition of his protective detail,” he added.

    Given the amount of surveillance conducted by the killers, there must be observable evidence out there that can be used to nab them and bring them to book, he added.

  • Badeh’s killing probe on, says Air Force

    •Senate, House seek investigation

    THE Air Force said last night that progress has been made on the circumstances surrounding the killing of former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh.

    According to the Air Force Director of Information and Public Relations, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, details of the development would be made public soon.

    Air Commodore Daramola, in a statement, however, cautioned against spreading of false information regarding the killing by yet to be identified gunmen.

    He said: “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has noted, with dismay, some erroneous reports and comments in the media regarding the unfortunate incident that led to the death of former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) on December 18, 2018.

    “Some of these reports erroneously state that the driver of the late former CDS, who was also shot during the incident, is dead. Other reports allege that adequate security was not provided for the deceased Air Chief Marshal.

    “The NAF wishes to state categorically that nothing could be further from the truth.  Firstly, all are please requested to note that the driver is alive and recuperating extremely well at one of our NAF Hospitals.

    “Secondly, Air Chief Marshal Badeh has always been provided with the full-compliment of personal staff and security personnel commensurate with his status as a former Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), CDS and a four-star general in the Armed Forces.”

    The statement added: “As mentioned by the CAS, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on December 19, 2018, the NAF is working closely with other relevant security agencies to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of the former CDS with a view to ensuring that the perpetrators of the heinous act are brought to justice.

    “Substantial progress has already been made in the ongoing investigation and details would be communicated at the appropriate time.”

    But, the Senate and the House of Representatives yesterday asked the Federal Government to investigate the circumstances surrounding the assassination of former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (retd).

    The upper chamber also asked security agencies to search and rescue Badeh’s personal staff abducted and held hostage by his assailants.

    The resolutions followed the unanimous adoption of a motion on “the demise of Alex Badeh, Chief of Defence Staff retired”. The motion was sponsored by Senators Binta Masi Garba (Adamawa North) and Bala Ibn Na’Alla (Kebbi South).

    The House urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Director General (DG)  of Department of State Services (DSS)  to investigate and uncover those behind the killing of former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh.

    Condemning the dastardly act in its totality, Bashir Babale (APC, Kano) advised everyone in position of authority to be mindful of the purpose of the responsibilities assigned to them, while others expressed suspicion over the killing.

    This followed the adoption of a motion by Abdulrahman Abubakar (APC, Adamawa), who regretted that a worthy son of Adamawa State that served the country meritoriously was gruesomely murdered by unknown gunmen.