The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Airforce

  • NAF strikes bandits in Zamfara, destroys 8 camps, kills scores

    The Nigerian Air Force on Wednesday said it had carried out successful air strikes on 8 camps of armed bandits in Zamfara state, killing scores of them in the operations.

    It added that those who escaped with wounds are being pursued by ground troops to the border towns between Nigeria and Niger Republic.

    The spokesman of the Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said in a statement supported with a video clip that the operations were carried out in Sububu, Rugu, Doumborou and Kagara forests.

    Air Commodore Daramola said: “The Air Task Force (ATF) for Operation DIRAN MIKIYA has continued to record successes in its renewed air offensive against armed bandits in Zamfara State and its environs.

    ” The air strikes, which were intensified on 8 April 2019 with the deployment of additional aircraft, are aimed at flushing out the bandits from their hideouts in Sububu, Rugu and Kagara Forests, amongst others, whilst ensuring the protection of the lives and properties of citizens in the Northwest of the Country.

    “On the first day of the intensive operation, the ATF conducted coordinated air raids against multiple identified armed bandits’ hideouts at Doumborou, Sububu, West Malamawa, Baturia Pond and Rugu Forest, where several bandits were neutralized and their camps destroyed.

    ” Yesterday, 9 April 2019, the ATF conducted waves of attacks against several targets. The first wave struck 3 armed bandits locations within Sububu Forest as well as another camp in Kagara Forest.

    ” Targets attacked in the second wave were notable armed bandits’ hideouts at Kamarawa, Kunduma and Tsamare Hill, while the third wave focused on armed bandits hideouts in Doumborou.

    Read Also: NAF destroys bandits’ logistics Base in Zamfara

    “The ATF also provided close air support‪ to surface forces of Sector 2 to enable them move into the attacked areas to mop-up the fleeing survivors and recover their weapons. ‬

    “In all, the ATF degraded 8 camps and neutralized scores of armed bandits.

    ” ‪Reports indicate that, ‬as a result of the air strikes, ‪some of the bandits are fleeing towards the border ‬between Nigeria and Niger Republic‪.

    “Accordingly, the ATF is liaising with relevant authorities to ensure that the bandits are prevented from escaping through the Southern part of Niger Republic.‬

    “The NAF, in consonance with surface forces and other relevant authorities, will sustain its efforts to end the scourge of banditry and other related threats to life and safety in the Northwest of our dear nation. “

  • NAF Helicopter lost in combat – Official

    The Nigerian Air Force ( NAF ), says its Helicopter was lost in combat while providing close air support to troops of 145 Battalion at Damasak in Northern Borno.

    Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information announced this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.

    “The mission was part of the ongoing counter insurgency operations in the North East,’’ he said.

    Read Also: NAF,14 varsities partner on research

    He said the incident occurred at about 7:45 p.m on Wednesday.

    “Details of the cause of the crash are still scanty.

    “As soon as the details of the crash are known, they will be made public,’’ he said.

  • Air Force tackles herdsmen/farmers clashes in Taraba, Benue, others

    Air Force tackles herdsmen/farmers clashes in Taraba, Benue, others

    The Nigerian Air Force Thursday said it would be involved in the operations in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa to tackle incessant clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

    The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar made the disclosure in Abuja at a lecture to participants of Course 26 of the National Defence College, (NDC).

    He explained that the intervention of the NAF would be through the establishment of Forward Operational Base (FOB) in Taraba state and Quick Rsponse Wing along Benue and Nasarawa axis.

    In a statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, the Air Chief said the developments were part of elaborate efforts to address the security challenges facing the country.

    The statement reads: “The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, Thursday disclosed plans by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to establish a Forward Operational Base (FOB) in Taraba State, as part of plans to further tackle the incessant herdsmen-farmers clash in the country.

    “The CAS, who disclosed the plans while delivering a lecture to participants of National Defence College (NDC) Course 26 in Abuja, also announced plans to establish a Quick Response Wing along the Benue-Nassarawa Axis.

    “The title of the lecture, which lasted one hour, was ‘The Nigerian Air Force – Challenges and Future Perspectives’. Participants of the Course are drawn from senior officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and those of sister African countries, senior officials of other security agencies in Nigeria as well as those of Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

    “The lecture afforded the CAS to share thoughts with the participants on how the National Defence Policy prescribes that the NAF should be employed, out of which the mission statement of the NAF was coined.

    “Air Marshal Abubakar also spoke on the current and likely threats as well as contingencies from the perspective of air operations. He then elucidated on his vision for the NAF while also highlighting current efforts at actualizing it.

    “Some of the initiatives included but are not limited to the establishment of new commands and some units, improvement in human capacity development, improved aircraft serviceability and logistics support as well as enhanced personnel welfare.

    “He also spoke about the efforts being made in the area of research and development towards improved self-sufficiency, as a result of which the NAF is currently making great savings in foreign exchange.

    “Thereafter, he discussed the current NAF Force structure, doctrine, current capabilities and equipment holding in response to threats alongside the NAF’s strategic plan before looking at NAF future perspectives.

    “The CAS equally examined the challenges and constraints to the NAF’s air power effectiveness before concluding the lecture by discussing the strategies to countering the challenges enumerated. The lecture was followed by a stimulating interactive session.

    “In his closing remarks, the Commandant of NDC, Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo, declared that “You cannot win any war today without an effective and virile Air Force”.

    “He then added that there was no doubt that the current NAF leadership is taking a lot of laudable and unprecedented steps, especially in the area of technological development, in a bid to reposition the NAF for greatness.

    “He particularly cited the recent feats by the NAF in locally designing and producing an operational Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, among many other breakthroughs in the area of research and development. He then seized the opportunity to congratulate the CAS on the recent passage of the bill establishing the Air Force Institute of Technology Kaduna, which he believed would further enhance technological growth in the NAF.

    “It is recalled that the NAF had also earlier announced plans to establish FOBs in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, as part of its commitment to combatting emerging security challenges in those parts of the country”.

  • Air Force Institute developing surveillance system to enhance national security – Commandant

    Air Force Institute developing surveillance system to enhance national security – Commandant

    The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in Kaduna is developing a surveillance system to add value to the nation’s security architecture, its Commandant, AVM Isiyaka Bukar, has said.

    Bukar in Kaduna that the surveillance system was a research work by students of the institution, which the Nigeria Air Force ordered for its expansion and development by the institute.

    The commandant also said that the school was involved in other projects including developing a drone and fabrication of aircraft parts.

    “The first research made is the unmanned aerial vehicle, called Amebo, which was demonstrated and commissioned by former President Goodluck Jonathan. Work is still going on to make it add value to the defence of this country.

    “In addition, researches by AFIT students have been utilised in the field including aircraft maintenance. Presently, we have two or three projects we are handling for the Nigeria Air Force.’’

    Bukar stressed that the institute’s main task was developing necessary human and material capacity to enhance the capacity of NAF and reduce service cost.

    He said that the focus of the institute now was on reverse engineering to adopt existing facilities to local needs.

    “Most of the aircraft we have are old, and that makes it very difficult to get spare parts for these aircraft easily on the shelf, so we have to do with what we haven and that means we have to make them serviceable on behalf of NAF.

    “We are therefore involved mostly in repairs and fabrication of some parts in our workshops.

    “We are making plans to have latest manufacturing equipment to improve our capacity to manufacture spare parts; our focus is to get fully involved in reverse engineering.

    “Most countries that don’t have the resources, what they do is to take a component, modify and redesign it to serve them.

    “If we get these facilities, definitely they will help us in reverse engineering and help modify our existing components.
    “You know aviation is a very expensive venture and even if you have the money, once the facilities are not available you have to improvise,’’ the commandant said.

    Bukar however said that AFIT require more funding to enable it set up workshops and acquire modern facilities for fabrication and manufacturing of aircraft parts.(NAN)

  • Airforce to build school in Sokoto

    The Sokoto State government has allocated land to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to build a new secondary school in Sokoto town.

    Governor Aminu Tambuwal, in a statement by his spokesman Imam Imam, said: “Our doors are always open to liaise with relevant stakeholders to improve the standard of education in Sokoto.”

    Tabuwal spoke during an inspection of Army Children School in Shagari council, which is under construction.

    The governor said the government has built 54 new schools – 35 Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) and 19 Senior Secondary Schools (SSS)- to filling the deficit in schools, especially in the rural areas.

  • NAF Jet bombardment: MSF confirms 52 killed, 120 injured

    NAF Jet bombardment: MSF confirms 52 killed, 120 injured

    Medicine San Frontiers,(MSF), one of the humanitarian aid group said to have been affected in the accidental bombing by  Airforce fighter jet that killed  civilians in Rann, Borno State have condemned in strong terms the action that led to the unfortunate incident.

    MSF have also confirmed that 52 people were killed in the incident with 120 wounded so far.

    In a statement issued by  Dr. Dr Jean-Clément Cabrol, MSF Director of Operations said the bombing hit an IDP camp in Rann, while describing
    the attack as “unacceptable”

    “This large-scale attack on vulnerable people who have already fled from extreme violence is shocking and unacceptable.

    “The safety of civilians must be respected. We are urgently calling on all parties to ensure the facilitation of medical evacuations by air
    or road for survivors who are in need of emergency care,” the statement said.

    Dr. Cabrol said  “MSF medical teams are currently providing first aid to 120 wounded patients in its facility in Rann. 50 people have so far
    been confirmed dead.  The organisation’s medical and surgical teams in the region are preparing to treat evacuated patients”.

  • 300 insurgents killed in Air force strike – CAS

    The Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadiq Abubakar has disclosed that over 300 insurgents were killed during a night airstrike on Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.

    The CAS who spoke at the commissioning of a borehole and 30 bedroom Emergency Hospital built by the Nigeria Airforce at Bama IDPs Camp described the operation as a very successful one, stressing that they can never attack innocent people again.

    The CAS said “we have intensified our airstrikes in recent weeks especially on the 19th of August.  We strike the terrorist in en mass. I am happy about our last night operations, at least 300 of  the terrorists were killed in that operations, they can never wake to fight us again,”

    ” I  urge you to continue this jobs you are doing here, there is no hidden place for them, we shall continue to strike them until we clear them, ” AVM Abubakar said.

    He called on  the insurgents to “come out wherever they are and surrender and face justice or they die”.

  • 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.

  • Ambode orders security agencies to apply force against vandals, cultists

    Ambode orders security agencies to apply force against vandals, cultists

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode Tuesday ordered security agencies to apply appropriate force to clampdown on criminals, pipeline vandals, miscreants and cultists disturbing the peace of residents in the state.

    The Governor who spoke during a security inspection tour of Owutu, Ishawo, Oke-Oko and other adjoining communities in Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of the state, also warned criminals to stay off the streets of Lagos, vowing to stop at nothing to ensure the restoration of peace in the area, which had hitherto being disturbed by the activities of vandals and miscreants.

    The Governor who made a brief stop at the Little Palace Hotel, where vandals once used as hideout to carry out their nefarious activities before it was taken over by a combined force of the Nigeria Army, Navy, Airforce and the Department of State Security (DSS) and the Police under the code name, ‘Operation Awatse’, expressed deep regret over the loss of three officers of the operation, assuring that his administration will give the force the necessary support to wage war against the vandals.

    “I would like to use this as a platform to give a very strong warning to vandals and even cultists that are parading themselves on the street of Lagos.

    “Just recently we heard that the fingers of some of our men in the Task Force were chopped off by some hoodlums so to speak. I’m using this platform also to direct our security forces that they should go ahead to use appropriate force in mitigating against such incidences next time and this is in the overall interest of all of us. While we make sure that we are upholding the rule of law. We would not fold our arms and allow some miscreants to disturb the peace of Lagos.”

    “If we sit down in our office, we would not be able to appreciate the extent of the problem here. People here have been living in fear in the past. We want permanent peace in the area and that is why we are coming after the vandals and criminals. Let me use this opportunity to warn criminals to get off the streets of Lagos and get off the creeks,” he said.

    The Governor while appreciating the officers whose presence in the area had reduced the activities of the vandals and hoodlums terrorising residents, said he will ensure that all necessary apparatus and welfare for the officers is made available to boost their morale in the line of duty.

    “I have come here personally with the heads of security agencies in Lagos State and the Security Council members to firstly appreciate the work of security agencies that have been posted here since last October and to also commend you for the improvement we have made since the time that you commenced operation here.

    “We like to reiterate once again our full commitment to support security agencies in eradicating vandalism and all sorts of vices from the street of Lagos. Beyond the fact that we are supporting the Nigerian Police, we are also now more than ever committed to support all the other security agencies in ensuring that they carry out their work more efficiently. So, my presence today underscores that fact that we all have to join hands together to ensure that the ugly scenes like this will not repeat itself,” he said.

    Earlier, Lt Col. Julius Ogbebe, Commanding Officer of the Operation Awatse, who briefed the Governor and his entourage on the operational base of his squad, said they dislodged the vandals from the Little Palace Hotel on October 10, 2015, which has since led to the recovery of over 2000 by 50 litres gallon of illegal products, 36 vehicles while 15 suspects were also arrested and handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for prosecution.

    The Governor who also inspected the state of the road, revealed plans to link up the community with Arepo and Kara, expressing optimism that if the road network is accessible, it would go a long way to reduce the activities of vandals in the area.

    He therefore promised to champion collaboration for the construction of a link bridge among Lagos, Ogun and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to ensure that Ishawo, Oke Oko communities is linked to Kara and Arepo via the creek to ensure easy access to Lagos Ibadan Expressway.

    Addressing community leaders and residents at a brief town hall meeting, said although his visit to the area was to access the security situation, he also took note of the need to open up the community so as to curtail the activities of pipeline vandals to the bearest minimum.

  • Two Airforce officers arrested for locking boy in car boot

    Two Airforce officers arrested for locking boy in car boot

    Two cadets’ officers, Peters O. Solomon and Abdullahi Fahad were Wednesday apprehended by the convoy of the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode in Mile 12 area of the State while dehumanizing an artisan, Dahiru Lawal for allegedly breaking the windscreen of their Chrysler Stratus car with registration number KRD 267 DV.

    The cadets who claimed to be Airforce personnel attached to the Airforce Base in Ikeja, had forced Lawal into the boot of their car after dragging him on the ground for the said offence.

    Governor Ambode, who was returning from an inspection tour to Agbowa in Ikorodu, saw the situation and swiftly intervened to save Lawal who was gasping for breath.

    The Governor wondered how such inhuman treatment could be meted to a fellow citizen just for slightly breaking the windscreen of a car.

    When questioned by journalists, the cadets admitted putting Lawal in the boot of their car.

    According to them, Lawal tried to escape after breaking the windscreen and ran into the nearby market where they eventually chased and apprehended him.

    Peters said: “What happened is that the boy broke the windscreen in front of my car. When I stopped, I asked him to come, the boy ran away. We have to drag him back and put him in the boot.

    “I kind of threatened his boss that he is working with and when his boss came and looked at what he did to me, that was when I put him inside the boot for the remaining ones to go and call the boss. Not that I locked the boot, I only put him inside, but I did not lock it,” he said.

    Also Abdullahi said himself and Peter were along Mile 12 after visiting a friend when the Lawal damaged their windscreen and he was attempting to escape.

    “We now ran inside the market and dragged him (Lawal) down. I was even asking who he is working with because I want to see his Oga since I know he cannot repair my damaged windscreen. I want to see the man he is working with so that we can settle everything with him. I now told my colleague that we should hand him over to Airforce police at the Airforce Base,” Abdullahi said.

    While narrating his ordeal in the hands of the cadets, Lawal who hails from Kaduna State, said he mistakenly damaged the windscreen with the load he carried, and that he took to his heels because he was afraid of what they might do to him.

    He said: “I ran into the market and they pursued me and caught me inside the market. They started beating me and dragged me to their car.”

    “I ran because I was afraid of what the cadets might do to me, while my boss and people around begged on my behalf, but their pleas fell on deaf ears.”

    “The police also came to plead with them to open the booth but they insisted on taking me away and it was at that point that the convoy of the Governor arrived to rescue me from the booth of the car where they kept me,” Lawal narrated.

    He added that he lost his cell phone and the sum of N5, 000 which he was having on him at the point that he was being dragged on the floor.

    The Governor had since ordered that the suspects be handed over to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution.