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Tag: helicopters

  • New ATAK helicopters

    New ATAK helicopters

    • We need them, but we need as much eyes as guns to beat terror

    The fight for the safety of Nigerian citizens was the highpoint of the delivery of yet another set of fighter helicopters. This time, it was the T-129 Atak helicopters. It raises the question on how many do we need to find traction in the anti-terror struggle?

    Records show this is not our first possessions. They add to existing fleet, improving our arsenal to four of such helicopters.

    Turkish-made, the new helicopter is a twin-engine, tandem seat and multi-role weapon. It gives us confidence that the Tinubu administration is devoting valuable resources towards ensuring that our citizens are safe, in spite of the spread of violence in various parts of the country.

    The recent killing of traditional rulers in Kwara and Ekiti states, and the surge in clashes in Plateau State as the year began brought agitation to the minds of many.

    One of the problems has always been whether we have the superior arms to fight the enemy. This helicopter adds to the credibility in that hope. As Vice President Kashim Shettima has noted, the Nigerian Air Force has, since its founding in 1964, not only made sterling “contributions to the sustenance and maintenance of peace and security in places like The Gambia, Guinea Conakry, Mozambique, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mali, Guinea Bissau and Cameroon have not only been a source of pride to Nigeria but has projected the nation as a reliable regional power.”

    Part of the features of the new helicopter is that it is designed for armed reconnaissance as well as a 20 mm cannon with capacity to be armed with rockets, UMTAS anti-tank missiles, CIRIT laser-guided missiles, and Stinger air-to-air missiles. It is 14.5 metres long with a maximum takeoff weight of about five tons. Its twin engine. That is CTS800-4A engines each has 1373 horse power that enables it cruise at 280 km per hour. Its range is 537 km and altitude of 4570 metres. For vision, it boasts an Aselsan Aselflir-300T gimbal with a TV camera, an infrared camera, target designator and laser rangefinder.

    We also have had seven Mil Mi-24V/P ‘Hind-E/F’ and 17 Mi-35M/P ‘Hind-E/F’ gunships. The NAF is expecting 12 Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters.

    Read Also: FG tongue lashes PDP Govs, demands impact of increased revenue

     Five other new aircraft we have inducted into our fleet include two Diamond DA 62 surveillance aircraft, two T-129 ATAK helicopters, and a King Air 360ER. The first two T-129s were delivered from Turkish Aerospace Industries in November 2023. More will come in the second quarter of 2024.

    The nation under President Bola Tinubu will have other varieties of aircraft numbering 46, including two AW109 Trekker helicopters from Leonardo Helicopters, two King Air 360 twin turboprops, four DA 62 surveillance aircraft, six T-129 helicopters, three Wing Loong II unmanned aerial vehicles, two Airbus C295 transport aircraft, 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters, and 24 Leonardo M-346 trainer/attack aircraft. The Nigerian Army is not left out as it is adding 12 MD 530F Cayuse Warrior helicopters from MD Helicopters.

    The NAF bought four DA 62 aircraft in October 2023. They are fitted with Hensoltd Argos II HDT electro-optical gimbals. Three Wing Loong IIs have arrived and that the first King Air 360ER arrived from Textron Aviation in November, last year.

    Since 2015, the NAF has had 10 Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, five Mi-35M attack helicopters, two Bell 412 transport helicopters, four A109 Power utility helicopters, two Mi-171E transport helicopters, three JF–17 Thunder multi–role fighters, 12 A–29 Super Tucano combat/trainer aircraft and numerous unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs).

    We know that weapons are not enough. We are still lagging in intelligence. Our spies in all the local government areas in the country have been failing us, and that should also be a priority.

  • Tinubu okays payment for 12 attack helicopters for Army aviation, says COAS

    Tinubu okays payment for 12 attack helicopters for Army aviation, says COAS

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved payment for the procurement of 12 attack helicopters for the Nigerian Army.

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, announced this at the opening of the maiden Nigerian Army Aviation Seminar yesterday in Abuja.

    The COAS said the 12 MD 530F Cayuse attack helicopters would operationalise the Nigerian army aviation unit, which was set up to improve ground troops’ agility, responsiveness, and efficacy during operations.

    He added that the attack helicopters would also contribute to the overall operational success of joint and coalition troops.

    Lagbaja said the Army Aviation is separate from dedicated Air Force though usually equipped with helicopters and light support fixed-wing aircraft.

    The COAS expressed appreciation to the President for buying into the aspiration of the Nigerian Army to have an equipped aviation unit, which would support ground troops as they focus on tactical and operational engagements.

    Read Also: You criticise Tinubu because you don’t have access to him, Seun Kuti fires president’s critics

    According to him, the experiences of other nations, like the United States (U.S.A.), Pakistan, Colombia, Egypt, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda, are instructive in this area.

    “The Army aviation arms of these countries have shown effectiveness in countering contemporary security threats and providing vital support to ground forces.

    “In view of the need to realise this, and in its bid to appropriately respond to contemporary and emerging security threats, the Nigerian Army resuscitated its aviation aspiration in 2014.

    “I am happy to inform this gathering that the Nigerian Army is willing to learn from the army aviation journeys of the countries mentioned earlier.

    “Our willingness to learn from them is to adapt their best practices to suit our unique operational environment and avoid their mistakes,” he said.

    “I can proudly report that since 2014, the Nigerian Army has made commendable progress in training pilots, aircraft engineers, technicians, and other ground support crew,” he said.

    The COAS said that the army had submitted the aviation outfit to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for proper mentoring.

    On the seminar, Gen. Lagbaja said it was meant to discuss likely challenges the unit may face and proffer innovative solutions.

    “Therefore, this seminar is a platform for us to deliberate on critical issues and share invaluable insights regarding the future of the Nigerian army aviation, even before that future comes upon us.

    “Ideas generated from our deliberations are expected to help strengthen the capabilities through capacity building, infrastructure development and guide further acquisition of cutting-edge platforms and technologies,” he added.

    The Acting Coordinator of the Nigerian Army Aviation, Brig.-Gen. Musa Alkali, said the unit would play pivotal roles in bolstering ground operations and addressing the current security challenges confronting the nation.

  • Anambra deploys helicopters, APC’s for security

    …mounts CCTVs in major cities

    Anambra State government yesterday told the residents not to panic when they see ubiquitous Helicopters and Armoured Personnel Carriers APCs hovering around, saying it is part of measures to boost peace and security.

    Also, the government has concluded plans to install Advanced Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTVs) in the three major cities of Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi to secure the state adequately.

    These according to the state Governor were to make Anambra remain the safest and most peaceful state in Nigeria which will help realise the vision to make it the foremost investment destination in the country.

    In a statement yesterday in Awka, signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C-Don Adinuba and made available to reporters, said it was increasing its air surveillance during the Christmas and New Year period.

    He said the helicopters would sometimes fly at low altitudes, this was to enable the pilots and other security agents flying with them to have a bird’s eye view of the security situation in every place.

    Furthermore, he said they would monitor the movement of individuals and even cattle, they would also monitor vehicular traffic and provide reports constantly to appropriate agencies for prompt action.

    According to the statement, “the state government, therefore, urges the people of Anambra State and individuals and groups passing through the state not to panic or be afraid. The ubiquitous presence of helicopters is for their benefit.

    “The helicopters are the latest in a series of far-reaching measures which the Willie Obiano administration has adopted to make the Christmas and New Year celebrations most rewarding for our people, as they travel in their millions from all parts of the world to their homeland, often accompanied by friends and well-wishers.”

    “The installation will be in conjunction with the Boston Innovation Centre in Massachusetts, United States.

    “The agreement for the supply of the special CCTVs and the subsequent installation was signed between the Boston Innovation Centre and the Anambra State government when Governor Obiano visited the United States last October to see for himself how our state could benefit more from advanced research and innovation, for which Massachusetts is world famous.

    “As we join the rest of Christendom to mark the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ and to observe the beginning of a new year, Ndi Anambra should not panic at the unusual presence of helicopters, APCs, security vans and cars as well as state of the art CCTV cameras because they are being deployed for their benefit,” the government said.

  • ‘NIMASA needs helicopters, patrol boats’

    The Federal Government has been urged to provide new helicopters, modern patrol boats and operational vehicles for the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to curb criminality on the waterways.

    Speaking with The Nation, immediate past president of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Prince Olayiwola Shittu said NIMASA needed the equipment for surveillance.

    He called for the enforcement of the laws against sea criminals, saying those arrested should be prosecuted.

    Shittu said lack of prosecution of suspects was a problem.

    He said: “To police the nation’s maritime boundaries requires a lot of platforms in the right places. NIMASA needs brand new helicopters, modern patrol boats, operational vehicles, human capacity and above all, technology that will provide the agency requisite surveillance.

    “With the availability of this equipment, we will begin to see a very high level of compliance by Nigerians, particularly, as it pertains to rules and regulations governing the maritime domain.‘’

    Shittu praised NIMASA Director-General Dakuku Peterside for how the agency has checked illegal activities on the waterways,

  • TAL unveils AW139 chartered helicopter

    Tropical Arctic Logistics, a company that specialises in aviation services with a focus on offshore services and charter for helicopters and executive private jets, recently landed and unveiled AW139 chartered helicopters into the nation’s aviation market.

    The 12-seater helicopter was brought from Denmark to Nigeria for effective operations in the country. According to the chairman of TAL, Emperor Chris Baywood Ibeh, “There is a yawning gap in the Nigerian aviation industry. One of the challenges we have in the aviation industry is compromising quality. From my background and my colleagues background (I have been in the oil and gas industry for 28 years), safety is our watchword; quality is our watchword. Looking at the aviation industry it became very evident that we have a gap to fill up and with a population of about 200 million and Nigeria being one of the largest oil producers in the world among OPEC member nations, we know we have quite a lot to offer in the oil and gas service. So we need to bridge that gap of quality, safety and professionalism.”

    On the value for customers’ money, Emperor Ibeh said the greatest concern of the company is customer service. According to him, “For example, if you buy your ticket from any of the Nigerian airline to fly domestically, you miss your flight and you wish to re-route your ticket is a problem. You want them to refund you your money for the ticket is a problem. So we want to make sure that customers will have value for their money. In our own case, at the moment, we do offshore, executive spot charter and we will go into commercial aviation very, very soon.”

    Recounting how he felt immediately the helicopter landed, “I became very emotional, remembering the challenges we have had over the last five years. It has been a very tortuous five years. We have been in this process for the last five years. We started in America with my partner, Engineer Femi Adeniji who has been running the office in Miami.”

    “It is a very highly technical and specialised area of business and it is a rich market. TAL has been in existence for about five years, going through all the paperwork and statutory requirements, which I can tell you are very tasking, very herculean. From applying to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to going for clearance with directors of State Security Services (SSS); applying for Air Operating Permit and Air Operating Certificate (AOC),” he stressed.

  • Police to deploy sniffer dogs, helicopters for Lagos LG elections

    Police to deploy sniffer dogs, helicopters for Lagos LG elections

    A  minimum of three helicopters,dozens of  sniffer dogs , anti-bomb experts and thousands of armed policemen are being deployed around Lagos State today as residents go to the polls to elect chairmen and councilors for the 20 local government area and 37 Local Council Development Areas.

    Complementing the police  to keep trouble makers in check are  soldiers drawn from the army,navy and the air force.

    The navy and marine police will be keeping an eye on the  waterways and coastal areas while  army and police personnel will   patrol the highways and other strategic areas.

    The Commanding Officer of the 9th Brigade -Gen. Adiku Attu and his NNS BEECROFT counterpart , Commodore Maurice Eno, said yesterday ahead of the election that  every necessary arrangement had been made to ensure maximum security all through the election period.

    Police Commissioner  Fatai Owoseni  help  a separate security meeting with heads of other agencies including the military, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), urging them to perfect all security arrangements.

    He  warned against the use of firearms near polling units by stakeholders, likening such action to a suicide mission. Owoseni  gave the warning while candidates and party leaders signed an undertaking towards a violence-free exercise.

    He said: “If you want to commit suicide, come out with your firearms. We have profiled you and have taken your biometrics. We have also interfaced with you personally and we will tell you what to expect from us.

    “During this election, we don’t want political thuggery like we have witnessed in certain elections from different camps.”

    He said some people have already been arrested by the  State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Yaba.

    He warned politicians against sponsoring thugs,saying “If any of the hoodlums are traced back to you, it will jeopardise your chances. Talk to your supporters not to be overzealous because we will not hesitate to write an intelligence report to your party and the government.”

    Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Justice Ayotunde Phillips pledged  a level playing ground for all the parties,and asked them  not to  cast aspersion on the integrity of the commission.

    “The Commission shall remain committed to its responsibilities of conducting free, fair and credible elections into the 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas,” she told reporters at the Sabo,Yaba, headquarters of LASIEC yesterday.

    She added: “Nobody, therefore, has any cause to entertain any fear or doubt on the neutrality of the Commission as an electoral umpire at the Local Government level of Lagos State.  We are very much aware of our responsibilities as provided for in the relevant enabling laws.”

    She said the Commission had,by yesterday, deployed non-sensitive materials to the 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas of the State so that “Electoral Officers have adequate time to distribute the materials to locations where they would be used for tomorrow’s (today’s) elections.

    “Deployment of sensitive materials to the various Local Government and Local Council Development Areas of the State has also commenced this morning (yesterday) and will be completed in due course.  With the early deployment of the materials, I am confident that the elections would be conducted without any hitch whatsoever.

    “Accreditation and voting will take place simultaneously between 8.00 and 3.00pm. I want to reiterate that the results of the Chairmanship elections will be declared at the collation centre in each of the Local Governments or Local Council Development Areas while the results for Councillorship elections will be declared at each of the Ward collation centres.

    “The only condition that may warrant the declaration of the results outside the collation centres is if it is discovered that the environment is not safe and conducive.”

    She appealed to the media to be fair, objective and patriotic in their reportage of the elections.

    “As patriotic citizens you owe the nation and the Lagos State the duty of performing your reportorial duties in a most responsible and patriotic manner, devoid of narrow self-centredness that could cast doubt on the electoral process and plunge the state into crises.  I need not remind you that pen is mightier than the sword. As holders of the pen, you must be circumspect in the way you use it so that the remaining part of the electoral process can be peaceful and hitch-free,” she said.

    Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni, who was also at the briefing, media are the most important unit that would determine the success of the poll.

    He appealed to journalists to verify issue before sharing it on social media. This, he said, will go a long way to mitigate the effects of misinformation.

    According to him, the police have opened an Investigative Desk to handle cases of crisis during the elections, urging people to call 08063299264 or 08033040870 to report such.

    Owoseni warned those who have stockpile ammunitions to surrender them before midnight as police will deal decisively with anyone found with ammunition.

    He enjoined the politicians not to sponsor hooligans during the poll, vowing to prosecute them and the hoodlums if caught.

  • ‘Fed Govt to allow helicopters fly to Abuja’ 

    ‘Fed Govt to allow helicopters fly to Abuja’ 

    THE Federal Government is set to allow helicopters fly to Abuja as repair works are on-going at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    With the closure of the airport for six weeks, Kaduna International Airport is expected to serve aircraft flights heading to Abuja.

    Minister of State for Aviation Hadi Sirika, while speaking with State House correspondents, said the government was expected to take the final decision on the helicopters before the end of yseterday.

    He said: “On the helicopter issue, the National Security Adviser has the constitutional responsibility to advise the President on national security matters. Within his wisdom, he had earlier on sent out letters banning helicopters operation into the airport.

    “But the National Security Adviser has earlier this morning said helicopters will of course continue to fly to Abuja airport from wherever.

    “Then the procedure that they will use to approach the airport and the landing spot will be advised accordingly before the end of today (yesterday), which means that helicopters can come into Abuja and out, bearing in mind that within the metropolitan city of Abuja, there are no-fly zones and this is very normal in every country.”

    He added that the operations in Kaduna were going on smoothly.

    He said: “We are able to do what we said we would do. We are actually working our talk. We thank Nigerians for understanding with us in time of this period of emergency. We have deployed enough personnel to handle and process passengers in Kaduna.”

  • Wike, Amaechi clash over helicopters

    Wike, Amaechi clash over helicopters

    Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi spoke yesterday on the two helicopters the Customs Service turned over to the Air Force at the weekend.

    He accused former President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Nyesom Wike of blocking the government of Rivers State from taking possession of the controversial helicopters.

    But Wike, in a statement last night, said Amaechi resorted to the purchase of helicopters because he could not provide good governance.

    In a statement by his media office, Amaechi said when he took over as Governor of Rivers State, criminals masquerading as militants, kidnappers and other elements were on the prowl in Rivers State.

    Among measures to combat the menace was the purchase of the helicopters.

    Based on recommendation of security experts, he said his administration bought the two Bell 412 security surveillance helicopters in collaboration with the Federal Government through the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

    “To show their support, the Federal government through the office of the NSA contributed $15million, about half of the total sum, towards the purchase of the helicopters.

    “Also, the then former President Goodluck Jonathan administration granted waivers to the Rivers State government to purchase and import the helicopters,” Amaechi said.

    The minister said trouble started many months later when the Jonathan administration allegedly frustrated attempts to take possession of the helicopters.

    Amaechi said: “It was obvious why the President Goodluck Jonathan administration acted the way it did and Nyesom Wike, the present Governor of Rivers State was an integral part, a major player in the whole conspiracy to block and prevent Rivers State government from taking possession of the helicopters.

    “Then, as a minister in President Jonathan’s cabinet, Wike inundated President Jonathan with fake stories of how then Governor Amaechi wanted to use the helicopters for Presidential campaigns against Jonathan, how Amaechi will use the helicopters to support President Jonathan’s opponents before and during the presidential elections and all sorts of concocted tales that created a false impression that the Amaechi government in Rivers State would use the helicopters against and to fight President Jonathan, and not to secure lives and property.

    “Wike then, was already nursing the ambition to run for the office of Governor of Rivers State. He didn’t care about the security of lives and property.

    “The helicopters were procured by the Amaechi administration to curb the wanton menace of criminals in the State (which has since worsened under Wike’s watch), but in his usual habit, Governor Wike has decided to abandon and dump the helicopters, because he does not care about the safety and security of lives and property in the State. Sad, very sad.”

    Wike, in a statement by his media aide, Simeon Nwakaudu, said: “The immediate past Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, could not provide  the  people of  Rivers State with good governance  that was why he had to recourse to the purchase of Armoured Helicopters.

    “Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike  has no need for Armoured  helicopters because  he has provided the good people of Rivers State with good governance  and they are happy with him.

    “In any case, Rivers State is not at war with any country, hence  there is no need for armoured  helicopters.

    “Governor Wike  will continue  to  deliver  good governance to the  Rivers people.  This has led to the improvement  of  security, despite  the  evil political  machinations  of Amaechi and his cohorts.”

  • Rivers Rerun: Police to deploy 20,000 officers, 20 gunboats

    Rivers Rerun: Police to deploy 20,000 officers, 20 gunboats

    •APC plotting to rig, Wike alleges

    The Inspector General Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, yesterday declared the police will deploy 20, 000 officers, three helicopters and 20 gun-boats to ensure hitch-free election in the forthcoming Rivers National Assembly re-runs.
    He spoke while addressing men and officers at Kano Police Command during a two-day working visit to the state.
    He said the gun boats were necessary to help ensure peace and order at the water-ways during the exercise.
    According to him, the police will replicate the efforts they put in that created atmosphere for peaceful election in Ondo state during the Rivers state re-run.
    Idris also disclosed that arrangements have been concluded to commence a housing-scheme programme for low-cadre officers to enable them own a house after retirement.
    He pointed out the welfare of men and officers remained his priority.
    Speaking yesterday at the flag off of the rehabilitation of the General Hospital Abua, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike accused the All Progressive Congress of plotting to rig the election.
    He said this was why the party has refused to campaign for the exercise.
    Wike alleged police chiefs met with APC leaders two days ago where they allegedly extracted the promise to send three commissioners to manipulate the process.
    He also claimed that APC governors who will be in Rivers on Wednesday for a jamboree are coming with rented crowd.
    Wike said: “The APC has nothing to campaign with. That is why they have arranged a one-day jamboree.
    “Is the hunger across the country? Or is the lack of projects or the worsening exchange rate?
    “Or is the fact that Rivers APC members have done nothing to attract any project to this state? There is nothing for them to campaign with.
    ”I have approved the Liberation Stadium for their jamboree on Wednesday.
    “The visitors will dance and after that leave the state for Rivers people to vote overwhelmingly for PDP candidates.”
    He alleged almost all the Divisional Police Officers in the state have been transferred with officers allegedly sympathetic to the APC on their way in.
    He urged youths to vehemently defend all polling units and collation centres where the police plan to assist Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to manipulate polls results.

  • Lagos to buy helicopters to battle crime, traffic

    Lagos to buy helicopters to battle crime, traffic

    •220 roads repaired in four months

    The Lagos State government will buy three helicopters next month to tackle crimes and monitor traffic, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said.

    Ambode, who was a guest on Soni Irabor Live (SIL) on Inspiration FM, said he was concerned about the robberies in the state.

    He said the government would boost the operations of the marine police and Navy on the waterways.

    The governor said at least 220 roads were rehabilitated in the last four months.

    He pleaded with Lagosians to support him to take Lagos to develop the state further.

    The governor said: “We are in this together. It is your government; you put me there; I’m your servant and I’m ready for criticism.

    “I’m listening and I believe strongly that you have a say in this government because it is an inclusive government. No matter where you come from, no matter your creed or colour, this is your government.

    “I appeal that Lagosians should join hands with me; tolerate whatever it is that you are seeing and make sure that you also carry out your civic obligations.

    “Pay your taxes because it is the only way that Lagos can grow and you know, the bottom line is this, we need to work together to achieve a safer Lagos; a cleaner Lagos; and a more prosperous Lagos and that is what we are going to do,” he said.

    The governor assured the people that a flyover bridge would soon be built at the Ajah Roundabout, and that the Lagos State Public Works Corporation had been mandated to fix potholes in the state.

    Ambode clarified his directive to officials of the State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), saying the not-to-impound vehicles order was aimed at bringing civility to their operations.

    He added that his administration would continue where the previous administration stopped.