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Tag: Ibikunle Daramola

  • Air Force destroys Boko Haram Camp in Borno

    The Nigerian Air Force said on Wednesday that it has destroyed Boko Haram terrorists’ camp and neutralized some of its fighters in a village called Arboko in Borno State.

    The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said in a statement that the strikes were launched after an intelligence platform had established the presence of the terrorists in the area.

    Air Commodore Daramola said: “The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has decimated a Boko Haram Terrorist (BHT) camp and neutralized some of their fighters at a settlement called Arboko in Borno State.

    Read Also: Air Force strikes insurgents in Northern Borno

    “The operation was conducted on 18 February 19 while a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet and an Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform were providing close air support to troops of 82 Brigade Nigerian Army.

    “In the course of the operation, the ISR aircraft spotted a group of BHT fighters within Arboko village and vectored the Alpha Jet to engage their camp with rocket fire, thereby degrading the terrorists’ structures and neutralizing some of their fighters.

    “The NAF, operating in concert with surface forces, will sustain its efforts to completely destroy all remnants of the terrorists in the Northeast.”

  • NAF jet destroys insurgents’ camp in Borno

    The Nigerian Air Force ( NAF ) says its Operation LAFIYA DOLE has decimated a Boko Haram Terrorist (BHT) camp and neutralised some of their fighters at a settlement called Arboko in Borno.

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

    The NAF spokesperson said the operation of the Air Task Force (ATF) was carried out on Monday.

    Daramola explained that the Alpha jet destroyed the insurgent’s camp while providing close air support to troops of 82 Brigade, Nigerian Army.

    Read Also: NAF nabs 10 suspected bandits with weapons in Kaduna

    “The operation was conducted on Feb.18, while a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet and an Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform were providing close air support to troops of 82 Brigade, Nigerian Army.

    “In the course of the operation, the ISR aircraft spotted a group of BHT fighters within Arboko village and vectored the Alpha Jet to engage their camp with rocket fire, thereby degrading the terrorists’ structures and neutralising some of their fighters,” he said.

    The spokesman said that NAF, operating in concert with surface forces, would sustain its efforts to completely destroy all remnants of the terrorists in the North East.

  • Air Force strikes insurgents in Northern Borno

    The Nigerian Air Force said on Monday that its aircraft has obliterated terrorists base and neutralized several terrorists in Malkonory, northern Borno.

    Its spokesman, Air Commodore, Ibikunle Daramola, said in a statement that the strikes were conducted after intelligence reports have indicated the presence of the terrorists in the area.

    He said: “The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has destroyed an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) training camp and neutralized several terrorists at Malkonory in Northern Borno State.

    “The operation was executed on Monday, 10 February 2019, after Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft observed significant human activities with several structures, equipment and vehicles spotted camouflaged under the dense vegetation in the area used by the terrorists for training.

    Read Also: Air Force strikes Boko Haram in Borno

    “Accordingly, 2 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet aircraft were dispatched to attack the location, dropping their bombs successfully within the camp leading to massive fires and resulting in the neutralizing of several terrorists.

    “Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) by own and allied ISR later revealed that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties as a result of the air strikes.

    “The NAF, operating in concert with surface forces, will sustain its efforts to completely destroy all remnants of the terrorists in the Northeast.  ”

     

  • Air Force strikes Boko Haram in Borno

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said on Saturday that scores of Boko Haram insurgents have been neutralized in their hideouts in northern Borno.

    The spokesman of the Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said in a statement that air strikes were conducted against the insurgents following credible intelligence reports establishing their presence in the area.

    Air Commodore Daramola said :”The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has destroyed a terrorists’ hideout and neutralized some terrorists at Kaicungul, a settlement about 100Km Northwest of Monguno, in Northern Borno State.

    Read Also: Air Force strikes terrorists in Damasak

    “The operation was conducted Saturday, 25 January 2019, on the heels of credible intelligence indicating that the village was being used as a staging area from where the terrorists assemble to launch attacks against own troops’ locations.

    “The ATF therefore detailed an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform for confirmatory surveillance of the location, which observed significant terrorists’ activities in the settlement.

    “Accordingly, 2 Alpha Jet aircraft were scrambled to attack the hideout. The 2 aircraft took turns in attacking the location, recording successful hits on the target leading to the destruction of some of the structures as well as the neutralization some terrorists. “

  • Air Force promotes 64 senior officers

    The Nigerian Air Force said on Wednesday that a total of 64 senior officers have been promoted following the approval of the Air Force Council.

    A statement signed by the spokesman of the Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said the senior officers comprise of 14 Air commodores promoted to the rank of Air Vice Marshals.

    The statement reads “The Air Force Council (AFC) on 4 December 2018, approved the promotion of a total of 64 senior officers to the next higher ranks in the Nigerian Air Force.

    “The affected senior officers comprise 14 Air Commodores who were promoted to the rank of Air Vice Marshal, 36 Group Captains promoted to Air Commodore and 14 Wing Commanders promoted to the rank of Group Captain. In line with the provisions in Chapter 8 of the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS) Officers 2017 (Revised), the AFC also approved the concessional commission of 3 Air Warrant Officers (AWO) and one Master Warrant Officer (MWO) to the rank of Flight Lieutenant.

    Read Also: Air Force men clear drainage in Oshodi

    “Those promoted to the rank of Air Vice Marshal include Air Commodores James Gwani, Moses Onilede, Charles Umolu, Olurotimi Tuwase, Musa Muktar, Emmnuel Alade and Musibau Olatunji.

    “Others are Air Commodores Maxwell Nnaji, Sule Lawal, Aliyu Bello, Ismaila Yahaya, Emmanuel Chukwu, Abdullahi Kassimu and Ibrahim Ali. Among those promoted from the rank of Group Captain to Air Commodore include Precious Amadi, Eneobong Effiom, Francis Edosa, Ndubuisi Okoro, Abubakar Sule, Olufemi Odeyinde, Olasunkanmi Abu, Razaq Olanrewaju, Micheal Ekwueme, Simon Peter,  David Pwajok, Suleiman Usman, Patrick Obeya, Ahmed Shinkafi, Ayodele Laoye, Nnamdi Ananaba, Esen Efanga and Ademuyiwa Adedoyin.

    “Others promoted to the rank of Air Commodore are Abdulrasheed Kotun, Albert Bot, Kennedy Mataluwo, Shehu Bakari, Zayyan Usman, Henry Yurkusi, Bashir Mamman, Jibrin Usman, Mohammed Ibrahim, Anthony Martins, Mohammed Aliyu, John Ukeh, Mohammed Yusuf, Adeniran Ademuwagun, Isaac Abatan,  Gideon Bako, Anthony Ekpe and Okey Ezeanyagu.

    ” Those elevated to the rank of Group Captain include Wing Commanders Valentine Oraeki, Abraham Sule, Abubakar Muhammed, Shehu Chindo, Oluwaseun Oluwatayo, Mohammed Ahmed, Adolphus Akins, Ali Idris, Idris Suleiman, Ibrahim Shehu, Dogari Apyeyak, Yahaya Bashir, Logomfa Nansoh and Mba Igbe.

    “The Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs) granted concessional Commission to the rank of Flight Lieutenant include Air Warrant Officers Julde Muhammed, Mohammed Madugu, Theophilus Enem and Master Warrant Officer Samuel Ogunnubi.

    “The promotion exercise is expected to motivate the affected officers to re-dedicate themselves towards more effective and efficient service delivery.

    “The senior officers and newly commissioned officers will be decorated with their new ranks at a later date.”

  • Boko Haram: NAF Jets destroys meeting venue, Kill insurgents

    The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) disclosed on Monday that Boko Haram meeting place at Jabullam in Borno state has been destroyed with air strikes.

    The Spokesman of the NAF, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said in a statement that the strikes were conducted through the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole after an intelligence report had established the presence of the terrorists in the buildings.

    Air Commodore Daramola also said some terrorists were killed during the air strikes.

    The statement reads: ” The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has destroyed a Boko Haram Terrorist (BHT) meeting venue at Jabullam in Northern Borno State.

    “The attack was carried out on 28 September 2018 following credible human intelligence reports indicating that some buildings within the settlement were being used for meetings attended by BHT leaders.

    “Accordingly, following confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions which identified the target building and surrounding structures, the ATF detailed a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet aircraft, which attacked the location and recorded direct hits on the target leading to the obliteration of the building and neutralization of the BHT occupants. ”

    “The NAF, working in concert with surface forces, will sustain the momentum of operations with a view to destroying remnants of the terrorists in the fringes of Lake Chad and other areas in Northern Borno”.

     

  • Air Force confirms death of Pilot in crash

    The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed the death of one of the pilots who were on the aircraft that crashed in Abuja earlier on Friday.

    The spokesman for the Air Force, Air Commodore, Ibikunle Daramola confirmed the death of the pilot officer in a statement.

    Read Also:Airforce chief: don’t dent our image

    He said:” it is with a heavy heart that I regretfully announce that one of the pilots who successfully ejected from one of the F-7Ni aircraft that crashed earlier today has passed on.

    “May his soul RIP. Additional details on the incident will be communicated later. “

  • Boko Haram: NAF destroy structures in Sambisa, kills insurgents

    The Nigerian Air Force ( NAF ) on Saturday said more air raids have been conducted against Boko Haram Terrorists in Borno state through the Operation Thunder Strike II.

    According to the Spokesman of the NAF, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, the strikes were conducted at Alafa Yagayaga in Sambisa Forest and at the fringes of Lake Chad resulting in the destruction of the facilities of the insurgents.

    Daramola said in a statement supported with video clips that scores of the Boko Haram Terrorists were killed during the air strikes.

    The statement reads: ” In continuation of OPERATION THUNDER STRIKE 2, the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, on 5 September 2018, successfully destroyed some Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) facilities and equipment at Alafa Yagayaga in Sambisa Forest as well as a suspected BHT ammunition depot in Kusuma on the fringes of Lake Chad, Borno State.

    “The air strikes against BHTs at Alafa Yagayaga were targeted at structures within the settlement that had been identified via previous Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions to be rendezvous (RV) points for the insurgents.

    ” Consequently, a combination of NAF fighter aircraft and helicopter gunships were detailed to carry out air interdiction on the locations, while the NAF ISR aircraft conducted Battle Damage Assessment (BDA).

    “The attack platforms acquired the targets and took turns to attack the location, destroying the structures and killing most of the BHTs in the process. The few surviving BHTs, seen fleeing the area, were strafed and neutralized by the helicopter gunships.

    ” The attack at Kusuma was initiated following credible intelligence indicating the presence of a BHT logistics/ammunition depot within the settlement. Accordingly, the ATF detailed a fighter aircraft to attack the insurgents’ position, while the NAF ISR aircraft conducted BDA.

    ” At the end of the attacks, the BDA revealed a direct hit on the ammunition depot, which was engulfed in fire while some other adjoining BHT structures were equally destroyed and the occupying terrorists neutralised”.

  • NAF jets kills armed bandits in Zamfara forest

    Several armed bandits disrupting the peace of Bayan Ruwa and Rugu Forest Zamfara State have been killed by the Nigerian Air Force ( NAF ) component of Operation DIRAN MIKIYA.

    The bandits were bombed by NAF jets in an operation that was carried out between Saturday and Monday.

    According to the spokesman for the NAF, Ibikunle Daramola, an Air Commodore, the attack on Bayan Ruwa was executed following an encounter with a notorious group of armed bandits by ground forces conducting clearance operations.

    He said: “The troops called for close air support and the  Air Taskforce (ATF) dispatched a ground attack aircraft as well as an attack helicopter to the location. “The aircraft supported the ground forces of Sector theee to inflict maximum damage on the criminal elements.

    “On August 26, an attack helicopter on armed reconnaissance around same location sighted makeshift structures within a forested area suspected to be a new hideout being developed by the bandits that survived the attack of the previous day.

    “The helicopter subsequently engaged the location. Some of the bandits, who were seen attempting to flee the location, were mopped up by subsequent follow-on attacks.

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    “Similarly, armed reconnaissance missions conducted on August 26 and 27 revealed the presence of some armed bandits at a settlement East of HAYIN ALHAJI as well as some warehouse-like structures deep inside RUGU FOREST that were being used as hideouts by the bandits.

    “Several armed bandits and a considerable number of rustled cattle were seen around one of the makeshift warehouses.  “Accordingly, the warehouses and the criminals operating there were attacked by the combat helicopters leading to the destruction of the makeshift buildings and neutralization of several armed bandits.”

    Daramola said the ATF would continue to dominate the area through armed reconnaissance and air interdiction missions to completely decimate the armed bandits in order to ensure a return to normalcy in Zamfara and other States in the North West.

    “All persons involved in armed banditry in the area are therefore advised to renounce violence, surrender to security agencies and hand over their weapons,” said Daramola.

  • NAF hits more bandit camps in Zamfara

    The Nigerian Air Force says the Air Task Force (ATF) for Operation DIRAN MIKIYA, has successfully executed air strikes that destroyed more bandit camps in Daji Bawar and Sunke Villages in Zamfara State.

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

    ” The strikes were planned on the heels of intelligence reports indicating that some bandits who had survived the intensive air assaults on their various hideouts at Shinkafi, Galadi, Ajia, Shamashalle and other areas of Zamfara State had relocated to Anka Local Government Area (LGA) of the State.

    ” Accordingly, the ATF embarked on intensive Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions to confirm the exact location of the new camps.

    ” Eventually, the criminal elements were observed to have pitched their tents at Daji Bawar and Sunke Villages.

    Read Also: NAF kills bandits in Zamfara forests

    ” The ATF, therefore, launched coordinated air strikes on the camps in the two villages with a force package of 2 attack helicopters.

    ” Overhead the target area, several bandits armed with automatic weapons were seen at both locations.

    ” They were engaged leading to the destruction of the camps and their means of transport while scores of them were killed,” he said.

    He said that the troops of  Sector 3 Operation SHARAN DAJI later confirmed that over 30  bandits were killed  while many others were injured.

    Daramola said that the ATF would continue to dominate the area through armed reconnaissance and air interdiction missions to completely decimate the  bandits  to ensure a return to normalcy in Zamfara and other states in the Northwest.

    The spokesman advised all persons involved in armed banditry in the area  to renounce violence, surrender to security agencies and hand over their weapons.

    NAN