The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar

  • NAF graduates 414 special forces

    NAF graduates 414 special forces

    The Nigerian Air Force ( NAF ) on Thursday graduated 414 special forces of its personnel out which 396 were airmen, airwomen and 18 were Officers.

    The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar made the disclosure during the Combined graduation of Basic Regiment Officers, airmen and Gunnery II Course and special forces course 2017, at the Military Training Centre NAF base in Kaduna.

    The Air Chief was represented by Air Officer Commanding, Ground Training Command, AVM Samson Akpasa.

    Abubakar said the 414 personnel undergone various special courses, which include intermediate regiment airmen course and special forces course, others are basic regiment officers course and basic regiment airmen,and airwomen course.

    “All these culminated to the force protection in complex air ground environment course.

    “The knowledge you have acquired couple with the practical exercise in basic field tactics, weapon training, map reading and airfield defence training are designed to prepare you for prompt deployment as the need arises.

    “I am sure you have imbibed the attributes of the military profession absolutely loyalty discipline, honesty, intelligence, accountability, teamwork and courage among other values.

    “I want you to note that it is the possession of these virtues that binds all ranks in the service,” he said

    Abubakar reminded the personnel that the service invested enormous resources in accomplishing the training, saying “it is therefore desirable that you reciprocate the good gesture.”

    He said that NAF will continue to support all efforts to make the regiment a fighting force with the requisite capacity in the protection of NAF asset.

    The Air Chief appreciated the unending support of President Muhammadu Buhari, who adequately provided funding for training and operational activities of NAF.

    Earlier the Commandant Regiment Training Centre, Group Captain, Isa’ac Subi , said the curriculum of regiment training centre were re-structured to make more effective and efficient in training personnel to meet changing complexities of military operation.

    Subi said the topics covered include, understanding threats, the motivation, methodologies of attack, troops leading, signal communication, combat medics counter terrorism among others.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the training were conducted by the Israeli Military Training Organisation and British Military Advisory Training Team (BMATT).

  • Air Force to deploy seized Rivers copter to North East

    Air Force to deploy seized Rivers copter to North East

    One of the two helicopters seized by the Federal Government and handed over to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been refurbished and ready for deployment in the fight against Boko Haram in the Northeast.

    The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar stated this yesterday at induction of the Bell 412 Utility Helicopter into the service’s fleet at 631 Aircralt Maintainance Depot, Ikeja in Lagos.

    He said the helicopter would boost the military’s war against insurgency, noting its peculiar features.

    According to Abubakar, the helicopter was completely refurbished in country, adding that its engines, main rotor transmissions, surveillance cameras amongst others were shipped to the United States and Canada for overhaul.

    “We have inducted into the NAF inventory, one of the two handed over Bell 412 helicopters. The two helicopters were seized by the Government and transferred to the  Nigerian Air Force.

    “As at the time of transfer however, the helicopters had been in containers for about two years, thus, necessitating an overhaul of its  major components such as the engines main rotor transmissions, and repair of surveillance cameras amongst other items.

    These items had to be shipped to the United States and Canada for overhaul. Already, maintenance of one of the helicopters which would be deployed to the North East has been completed here in Ikeja. Work is at an advanced stage on the second helicopter which will also be inducted soon.

    “The induction of these air assets will boost the NAF’s operational standing, free other Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance assets to be dedicated to operational theatres, and also save cost occasioned by the reduction in maintenance hours of air assets due to re-rolling. It is also gratifying to note that the repair and maintenance was used to give our technicians the opportunity to build capacity.

    “To be effective in the increased threat environment posed by contemporary security challenges, the NAF must possess the capacity and capability to project power across and within its operational theatres of engagement. The primary means by which the Service achieves power projection is through the use of its air assets.”

    A 13-passenger and two crew rotary wing aircraft, the Bell 412 Helicopter has numerous safety features including night vision capability camera for Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations, said Abubakar.

    He said: “Indeed, the helicopter is suitable for deployment in hostile environments and can also be employed as a combat utility helicopter for humanitarian assistance, disaster relief operations as well as VIP
    transportation.

    “Given the Nigerian Air Force pivotal role in the ongoing counter terrorism, counter insurgency operations and other internal security operations across the country, these platforms could not have come at a better time than now.

    “Already, the service has trained pilots, engineers and technicians to take command and ensure optimal operations of the aircraft. While training of more personnel is underway to guarantee sustained deployment of the helicopters in operations, arrangements are at advanced stage to provide the required ground support equipment and spares for hitch free operation.

    “I charge all personnel to demonstrate competence and proficiency, as well as operate and maintain the various platforms, equipments entrusted to your care.

    In line with core values, you are not only to give your best to the service of the nation but must operate these equipment with utmost care.”

    Earlier, the Air Officer Commanding  (AOC) Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Yahaya said the induction ceremony was the high-point of series of activities which commenced some months ago with the logistics, assembling, ground checks and eventually flight  tests of the Bell 412 Utility Helicopter.

    “This occasion particularly affirms the unswerving support the Nigerian Air Force has been receiving from the Federal Government, as well as the premium the current administration places on national security.”

    At the event were Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, Commodore Maurice Eno and the Commander, 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Elias Attu.

  • Air Force raids degrade Boko Haram insurgents–COAS

    Air Force raids degrade Boko Haram insurgents–COAS

    The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, on Friday said the service had carried out air raids causing heavy damage to the Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East.

    Sadiq told newsmen in Maiduguri that several air raids were conducted under the Operation Ruwan Wuta II, designed as a final onslaught on the insurgents.

    “The whole idea is to further degrade the capacity of the Boko Haram insurgents and to make sure that we get them where they are hiding.

    “And in the last few days it has been very successful, we have been able to substantially effect the necessary damage and frustrate any effort for them to re-group in certain areas of Sambisa Forest”.

    Sadiq disclosed that the Federal Government had procured aircrafts and helicopters to enhance air operations in the campaign against the Boko Haram insurgents as well as protect lives and property.

    He said that the newly acquired jets and helicopters would soon be deployed to the front line to enhance the counter-insurgency operation in the region.

    The Chief of Air Staff added that the service had constructed residential accommodation and upgraded the apron at 105 Composite Group, Maiduguri to accommodate the increasing number of war planes.

    Sadiq explained that the projects were designed to provide enabling environment and decent accommodation to improve the wellbeing of the servicemen.

    “The Federal Government has approved more aircraft for us and we are thinking ahead to see that we have the accommodation for those coming with these helicopters and aircrafts the government has procured for us.

    “With more aircrafts you have to expand the parking space; we have reactivated a quite a number and more are coming, what we thought was to quickly expand the apron so that we have enough space for the aircrafts that are coming to be able to park.

    “For us in the Air Force; we are always working, training, expanding infrastructure, building capacity for both the pilots, technicians and engineers”.

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    While lauding the government’s gesture, Sadiq also commended the servicemen for their dedication and gallantry in the counter-insurgency operation. (NAN)

  • Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, Spare Us the Drama

    The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar led Nigerian Airforce is finally attempting to punch its weight in the counter-terrorism war; God be praised. His branch of the military service has been the weak link in the security infrastructure and a chain, as they say, is only as strong as its weakest link.
    The Nigerian Navy, since the coming of President Muhammadu Buhari has proven itself in the Niger-Delta, where working closely with the Army, it has taught militants that sabotaging economic assets is not a pastime to relish in. Even when the military operations against Boko Haram are mostly affairs in the dry Sahara Desert, the Navy ensured lake Chad is not of any benefit for the terrorists with the constant destruction of any vessel they attempt to deploy on the lake.
    The Department of State Services (DSS) has done a fair share of the job by constantly dismantling cell after cell of Boko Haram, in most cases before they are able to launch attacks on the innocent population. The Department’s strategy starved the terrorists of the financing they had hitherto gotten from raiding commercial banks to fund their operations while making such heists appear like the regular criminal robbery.
    The balance of the fight, a larger chunk, occur on ground battles with insurgents, who often have to be chased for several kilometers or repelled in the many surprise ambushes that are now their staple. In spite of the reported obstacles and challenges to the war, troops continue to give their best. The can-do spirit in the Army is such that Private Samuel Ernest, a soldier recuperating from his battle injuries, expressed his eagerness to return to the war front, even though he was barely getting back on crutches.
    Then the Airforce. The Airforce has not done much to assert its role in the counter-terrorism war under the present government. But for fairness, one would have accused the wings in the skies of flapping for the terrorists by not doing enough to decimate them from high up where the ultimate advantage lies. Each time troops have been ambushed on ground is a signpost to the failure of the Airforce to maintain eyes in the sky and coordinate with its sister services. Every time terrorists strike in a town and flee into the neighboring countries or the dessert it exposes the failing of the Airforce in trailing them and relaying their positions to those on the ground to do something about it.
    One would have thought that by now, working with the other services especially the intelligence arm, the Airforce would have chanced upon the terrorists making one of those their propaganda video so that it can blast them to the hereafter same way Russian Airforce has likely pulverized Daesh (Islamic State) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in an Airstrike.
    What one has instead seen is an Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar who thought, of all times, the festive Sallah season is the best time to ply the populace with tall tales and bogus directives. First came his chest beating as to how the Airforce foiled an attempt by Boko Haram to breach the peaceful Eid-el Kabir celebration in Borno. He apparently did that by bombarding them – same thing he has not achieved in his two years of piloting the affairs of that service. It possibly did not occur to him that if he had lived up to billing in previous time the task of getting rid of these terrorists would have been 99 percent achieved by now.
    Next was the ridiculous directive for Sambisa Forest to be “completely” cleared. Again, a perfunctory perusal of the archives would remind the Chief of Air Staff that the 2017 Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship (NASAC) held inside Sambisa Forest in the wake of the flushing out of the insurgents. Had the Airforce been on hand on the scale that Nigerian expected the missing air support would have ensured that those that regrouped are trailed down to the last of their bolt holes before they had the time to recover and begin their current round of nonsense.
    Such statement, which the Air Chief has not done anything to refute, clarify or rephrase, is an aberration coming from him. Has anything changed about his inventory of aircrafts that will he use to clear Sambisa Forest? Since as civilians we know Abubakar to be the lord of the skies, is he by chance converting the Air Force into performing ground roles? Is he envisaging a scorch-earth operation that will yield a disproportionately high civilian casualty? Will his hype make terrorists drop dead and why the hype in the first place? What is he targeting?
    The Chief of Air Staff once pandered to celebrity protesters in such fashion when he flew Oby Ezekwesili and her band across the Sambisa Forest area. The trip turned out to be a pointless waste of taxpayers’ money with the only benefit being that it helps defined those that constitute Air Marshal Abubakar’s audience – jobbers that are desperate to roll with government.
    Such desperate publicity stunt from an organization like the Air Force would do Nigeria and the entire country no good as it will amount to playing God on the war against insurgency. When a man who should be making eyes available in the skies decides to rather engage in talkfests then the terrorists know they have not much to fear even when driving convoys of 50 Hilux Pickups across open terrains. They know that no matter sabre rattling Air Marshal Abubakar engages in he does not have boots on ground to take them on where it matters most.
    Air Marshal Abubakar has to be told in clear terms to concentrate and fight in the air. If he had performed his role effectively in the air by now Boko Haram could have been history. It is understandable that the military as a unified entity is communicating with Nigerians and the world to give perspective to the counter-insurgency war and curtail Boko Haram’s propaganda. But prancing around the place as if the air force is the entire military is in the region of an overkill, his noise it too much noise.
    As opposed to assuming the position of Nigeria’s military imprimatur, Air Marshal Abubakar should work on improving his service’s capabilities and clear all its challenges. This should include finding a way to accelerate the air coverage he has not provided in the initial two years he has been in office; he must pick up his slack so that the burden would be lighter on the other services and by extension bring about greater efficiency. In addition, he has to of necessity check in with fellow military chiefs to confirm where his input is needed as opposed to making beeline solo runs to the detriment of the war efforts.

    Suleiman is a freelance journalist writing from Yola, Adamawa State.‎

  • Air Force foils Boko Haram’s plans to disrupt Sallah in Borno

    Air Force foils Boko Haram’s plans to disrupt Sallah in Borno

    The Nigerian Air Force said on Saturday it had foiled an attempt by Boko Haram to breach the peaceful Eid-el Kabir celebration in Borno.

    The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, stated this at a feast organized for officers and men of the service at the 105 Composite Group, Maiduguri.

    Abubakar had held a grand feast for service men carrying out the counter-insurgency operation in the North-East, as part of the Eid-el Kabir celebration.

    He disclosed that the Air Force in a joint operation with the army had destroyed insurgents’ hideouts thereby scuttling their plans to attack communities during the festivities.

    “Boko Haram insurgents planned to destabilize the Sallah celebration, but with help of the Almighty Allah and our collective efforts, we foiled their plans.

    “Our objective is to protect life and property, safeguard the national territorial integrity and make our communities safe so that farmers can go back to their settlements and cultivate their farmlands.

    “We will remain in the forest to protect our people.

    “The insurgents are on the run due to concerted military efforts; the only option left for them is to surrender,” he said.

    Abubakar congratulated the men and officers of the service for their dedication and gallantry, saying that Nigerians were proud of their achievements.

    The air chief disclosed that the Air Force command had accorded priority to training and improvement of the welfare of its personnel.

    He added that arrangement had been concluded for the training of air force personnel within and outside the country, to strengthen defence operations.

    “We are sending some service men for training in Jordan.

    “We are committed to providing logistics, uniforms and ammunition to counter terrorism while construction of housing is in progress to provide decent accommodation for officers and men serving in the counter-insurgency campaign,” he added.

    Abubakar urged officers and men of the service to remain disciplined, display high sense of professionalism and respect civilians in the discharge of their duties.

    He also commended the people for their support to the service and called on them to provide useful information that would be helpful to the fight against Boko Haram.

    Meanwhil, Lawali Babagana Ibrahim, the Ward Head of the Pompomari area of Maiduguri, has applauded the service for the successes recorded in the counter-insurgency campaign.

    Ibrahim said the collaboration between the service and the vigilante group had helped to strengthen security in the area.

    “The service donated two cows to the vigilante group to enable them to celebrate Sallah.

    “There is mutual understanding between the service and the host community,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Borno Deputy Governor, Usman Durkwa, had declared that this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration was the most peaceful the state had recorded in the past seven years.

  • NAF receives five fighter planes from Pakistan

    NAF receives five fighter planes from Pakistan

    The Nigerian Air Force has received five Super Mushsak fighter planes from Pakistan to enhance its air power capability.

    The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar and members of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on NAF inspected the war planes on Friday in Kaduna.

    Sadique said the planes which would be unveiled later, were acquired for the training of NAF personnel and to improve the service air power.

    The NAF chief, who witnessed the graduation of 269 NAF special squad for the protection of critical national assets, said the service remain committed to safeguarding the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

    The NAF personnel went through the Basic Regiment Airmen Course and Force Protection in Complex Air Ground Environment Course at the NAF Regiment Training Centre, Kaduna.

    Abubakar challenged the personnel to remain committed to the Nigeria project, assuring them that the leadership of the force would transform the service for effective and efficient response to any security challenge.

    “Our engagement in different theaters of operation and the need to protect the limited resources available to undertake our statutory responsibilities of projecting air power, underscores the need to continually develop the force protection capability of the service.

    “The training you have received on force protection in complex air ground environment will require you to speedily gain capacity to enable the service to locally develop and sustain additional workforce in the field of specialization,” he said.

     

  • NAF moves to forestall suicide, meningitis

    Plans are underway by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to introduce compulsory and periodic psychiatric test for personnel to prevent cases of suicide.

    The service has also moved against meningitis by vaccinating its personnel in the headquarters and other northern states were the disease is prevalent.

    The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, disclosed this at the presentation of accreditation certificate for 561 Aviation Medicine Department/ cancer awareness lecture held in Lagos on Thursday.

    Abubakar, who was represented by the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Yahaya, stated that the service has started reviewing procedures and processes of entrance.

    He said: “The NAF is reviewing procedures and processes of entrance to forestall incidences of suicide. At the higher echelon, they are looking at the issue from selection and recruitment so that people coming into the service would undertake psychiatric evaluation. They are also looking at paying closer attention to personnel.”

    On the recognition of two of its doctors – Squadron Leader Joshua Danji and Wing Commander Alfred Ayodeji- by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) as certified Aero Medical examiners, Abubakar said it was rewarding for the service to achieve the feat, noting that the process commenced seven years ago.

    He added: “We have been given certification to examine civil air crew. The two doctors that have been issued seal can give certified medical examination to air crew and it would be recognised internationally.

     

  • Boko Haram: No victory for insurgents – NAF chief

    Boko Haram: No victory for insurgents – NAF chief

    … To take delivery of platforms

    The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar has debunked claims that Nigerian soldiers fled Boko Haram terrorists repelled attack in Borno State.

    BBC Africa had reported that Nigerian soldiers fled the fierce attack from the terrorists who carried sophisticated weapons on Monday.

    But Abubakar, who was in Lagos to inaugurate five projects completed by the Logistics Command including the installation of executive seats on the C-130 aircraft, insisted that the military has made substantial progress in the war.

    This is just as he disclosed that the AirForce was to take delivery of more platforms acquired following government’s approval.

    The AirForce Chief stated that the military was at the tail end of the operation in the northeast, adding that the insurgents can no longer move freely the way they used to in 2014 and early last year.

    He said: “Compare the situation in 2014 or the beginning of 2015 and today. You will agree with me that there is a world of difference.

    “Then, Boko Haram was moving in convoys of 15 to 20 vehicles from one community to the other. Such a thing is not happening again today.

    “I really do not want to comment on what happened on Monday because I don’t have details. But generally, I can tell you that we are making substantial progress in dealing with this problem. We are at the tail end of the northeast operations.”

    Abubakar also explained that the night training which commenced in Lagos on Monday night was a routine exercise.

    “Training is a continuous process for every AirForce. From time to time, we have programmes we undertake to ensure our officers and men are in the best of shapes to be able to deal with security challenges. It is just a routine training,” he said.
    Commending the Logistics Command for doing an excellent job, Abubakar said he was in Lagos to access infrastructure and ensure things were going well.

    “Lagos is logistics base of the Air Force. No matter how excellent an operational plan is, if it is not backed by logistics, you will run into difficulties. Came to access situation on ground and infrastructure and ensure things are going well. I am happy with what am seeing in the units. Logistics Command is doing an excellent job,” said Abubakar.

    While inaugurating the drainage and primary school classrooms at the 105 Communication Depot in Shasha, Abubakar said flood has always been a recurring decimal and a major problem confronting the base since its establishment.

    “When it rains, especially at the peak of the rainy seasons, the roads within the depot are impassible. We also lost our fence severally in the past as a result of flood.

    “I have been informed that control of flood is also a problem in the neighbouring Oba Ketu Community, which has led to avoidable loss of life and property. This is why we embarked on this project, to extend the drainage from outside our fence to the point where the flood will flow harmlessly into the central carnal.

    Earlier,  the Air Officer Commanding  (AOC) Air Vice Marshal Muhammadu Mohammed noted that the projects would motivate the personnel to continuously put in their best for the attainment of the Force’ objectives.

    “For Instance, the avionics overhaul centre is expected to reinforce our culture of self – reliance and prudent management of resources in conformity with one of the key drivers of the CAS’ vision.

    “During the installation of the test benches of the Overhaul Centre, some of the C-130H aircraft rotables were repaired. They include Altitude Direction Indicator,  Autopilot Amplifier and ATC Transponder. This is a clear indication that the dividend derivable from the project is enormous,” he said.

    Also inaugurated were the rehabilitated water system and reconstructed 70 septic tanks at the Sam Ethnam Base, as well as re-roofing of vehicle shades and reactivation of Jet-A1 tankers at 407 Equipment Supply Depot.