Tag: NAF

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has presented cheques to 13 next-of-kins of fallen heroes who died recently.

The cheques were presented to them at the NAF Headquarters, Abuja, on Monday, October 7.

Speaking after the cheques to the families, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, said the presentation of the cheques marked the formal activation of the Group Personal Accident Insurance Policy (GPAIP), which was in fulfillment of one of the key drivers of his command philosophy, which is “Maintaining a Highly Motivated Force by Enhancing Welfare and Infrastructural Renewal.”

Air Marshal Abubakar said NAF personnel, in response to the clarion call, face constant exposure to extreme hazards that carry the risk of life-altering consequences and sometimes tragic loss of life.

According to him, it was in light of this reality that the NAF established various welfare insurance incentives to cushion the impact of workplace accidents on its personnel and their families.

He said: “While earlier policies primarily focused on life insurance, we recognized a gap, as there was no specific coverage for those who had become disabled or injured in the course of duty.

“Today, we take a historic step to bridge that gap with the activation of the Group Personal Accident Insurance Policy.

Read Also: NAF, villagers disagree as airstrike kills 25 in Kaduna

“This policy provides compensation for bodily injuries, temporary or permanent disabilities, and even death.

“It also covers medical expenses incurred as a result of accidents and offers salary reimbursement while the personnel are hospitalized.

“Importantly, the Group Personal Accident Insurance Policy runs concurrently with existing insurance policies, filling in the financial gaps that are not covered by other schemes.”

Air Marshal Abubakar said the presentation of cheques to the first set of beneficiaries addresses a critical welfare need for the affected personnel and their families.

He said: “While these cheques cannot undo the loss, or reverse the disabilities suffered, they provide some comfort and reassure survivors that the Nigerian Air Force stands firmly with them.

“They also convey a strong message to all personnel who bravely serve this great nation, that the Service will never abandon them.”

While paying tribute to the fallen heroes and wounded warriors for their immense sacrifices in the line of duty, the air chief assured the families that the NAF would continue to stand by them.

Speaking on behalf of other next-of-kins, Yakubu Yusuf, thanked NAF for not forgetting them.

He said: “The Chief of Air Staff went beyond the rhetoric of ensuring the welfare of our families, he went ahead to deliver it strategically. We thank him very much.

“We know that our loss is irreplaceable, but we are proud that our loved ones died serving their country and humanity.”

The Nation reports that the next-of-kins were presented with cheques of over two million each.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch (OPWP) has destroyed terrorist logistics base at Yadi Forest in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

This is contained in a statement by the Deputy Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Group Capt. Kabiru Ali, on Monday in Abuja.

Ali said the operation was executed following credible intelligence indicating huge presence of terrorists and their weapons cache in the Yadi Forest.

He said the intensive intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance confirmed the consistent presence of terrorists and their motorcycles at the location.

According to him, additional intelligence revealed that the logistics base belonged to the notorious terrorist kingpin, Kadade Gurgu, a close ally of Dogo Gide.

Read Also: FG acquires 12 aircrafts for NAF in 1 year – CAS

He added that available intelligence at the disposal of the NAF revealed that Kadage Gurgu had been providing shelter for notorious terrorist kingpins following the aggressive military operations in Sokoto and Zamfara States.

Ali said the air component dispatched an aircraft, supported by an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform, to attack the target.

According to him, the target area initially appeared uninhabited but as the aircraft approached, some of the terrorists were seen emerging from under the shrubbery and running away from the area.

“Subsequently, the target were engaged recording successful hits on the logistics facility, which was engulfed in flames with thick black smoke seen.

“Reports from independent sources, including local informants around the general area, later confirmed that the logistics base was totally destroyed and scores of terrorists were killed as a result of the attack.

“The NAF, in collaboration with surface forces, will continue to dominate the battlespace through extensive situational awareness, constant patrols, and targeted interdiction of bandits’ safe havens within its area of responsibility and neighbouring states.

“This aims to decimate and flush out terrorism and criminal activities within the Northwest and North Central region,” he said.

(NAN) 

The Nigerian Air Forces (NAF) yesterday announced the appointment of new branch chiefs, Air Officers Commanding (AOCs) and redeployment of some senior officers.

The announcement was contained in a statement by a Deputy Director in the Department of Information and Public Relations, Group Captain Kabiru Ali.

The statement explained that the move was meant to enhance operational flexibility, inject fresh perspectives and optimise leadership capabilities.

Those affected by the new development are: Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Iboro Etukudo (Chief of Policy and Plans), AVM Francis Edosa (Chief of Training and Operations), AVM Dalhat Ladan (Chief of Air Intelligence), AVM Suleiman Usman (Chief of Communication and Information Systems), AVM Sayo Olatunde (Chief of Defence Policy and Plans), and AVM Lanre Oluwatoyin (Chief of Defence, Space Administration, Defence DHQ).

Read Also: How ‘fake miracle water-producing church’ is resisting investigation, by NAFDAC boss

Also affected are: AVM Ibikunle Daramola (Chief of Civil-Military Relations), AVM Abiola Amodu (Chief of Aircraft Engineering), AVM Patrick Phillips (Chief of Logistics), AVM Olasunkanmi Abidoye (Chief of Standards and Evaluation), AVM Adeniyi Amesinlola (Chief of Transformation and Innovation, NAF HQ), and AVM Abubakar Adamu (Group Managing Director, NAFIL Group).

The newly appointed AOCs, according to the statement, are: AVM Elijah Ebiowe (AOC, Tactical Air Command, Makurdi), AVM Sunday Aneke (AOC, Mobility Command, Yenagoa), AVM Abubakar Abdullahi (AOC, Air Training Command, Kaduna), and AVM Adeniran Ademuwagun (AOC, Logistics Command, Ikeja, Lagos).

The statement said the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, congratulated the new appointees and “reiterated the essence of the redeployment, which majorly allows for strategic flexibility and resource optimisation for enhanced operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Air Force”.

The CAS stressed the need for leveraging deep and critical thinking in proffering strategies for addressing current security challenges, the statement added.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Special Forces Protection Group has killed a terrorist kingpin and five-foot soldiers in Igabi and Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

NAF’s spokesman, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Edward Gabkwet, announced this in a statement on Sunday, September 1.

He said the kingpin, Mustapha Abdullahi, and five members of his group, were killed after an intelligence report that was received on August 31, about their movement near Sabon Gida Forest along Sabon Birni Road in Igabi Local Government Area of the state.

Read Also: Role of Windfall Tax in Encouraging Ethical Banking Practices in Nigeria

AVM Gabkwet said: “A team of Special Forces from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) 413 Force Protection Group was dispatched to comb the location.

“After making contact with the terrorists who were on motorcycles, on sighting the Special Forces, the terrorists immediately opened fire and were met with superior firepower by the troops, eliminating all the terrorists.

“Items recovered from the terrorists included five den guns, locally fabricated sub-machine guns, and live ammunition. Others include assorted charms, lighters, SIM cards, and phone cases.”

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, has ordered Air Component Commanders to intensify efforts to clear the country of terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements in the ongoing operations across the country.

He said their dedication and tactical efforts had led to a series of successful missions, eliminating key terrorist leaders, halting activities of oil thieves and pipeline vandals, and safeguarding key national assets.

Air Marshal Abubakar issued the charge while addressing all Air Component Commanders during a virtual meeting held at the NAF Headquarters, in Abuja.

He said: “The Service, and indeed the entire nation, are proud of your achievements. Your relentless pursuit of excellence and commitment to duty have not gone unnoticed, and the recent operational successes are a testament to your leadership and the professionalism of the men and women under your command. We must, however, continue to hit them hard until they succumb to our superior might.

“We must not rest on our laurels. The security of our nation depends on our continued resolve and unwavering commitment. I charge you to intensify your efforts and push forward with even greater determination. The Nigerian Air Force will continue to provide all necessary support to ensure the success of our missions.”

The NAF boss reassured the Commanders that the NAF leadership remains “fully committed” to their welfare and the provision of needed resources and equipment to enhance operational capabilities.

Read Also: NAF airstrikes kill terrorists in Kaduna, Zamfara

He expressed confidence in their ability to deliver on their mandate, stressing that the nation’s security and peace are paramount.

The Nation reports that recent NAF bombardments have eliminated several terrorists and bandits in Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna.

They have also destroyed several illegal refineries, storage tanks and boats in Rivers and Imo States, which had disrupted the activities of oil thieves and bunkerers.

Pilots of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) flying A-29 Super Tucano have achieved 10,000 flight hours in the past three years.

Over 850 hours flown on the fleet were on operational sorties against terrorists, bandits, and other violent non-state actors.

NAF’s spokesperson, Air Vice Marshal (AVM), Edward Gabkwet, announced this in a statement on Thursday, August 15.

The Nation reports that NAF inducted the A-29 Super Tucano fleet into the ongoing battle against terrorists, bandits, and other non-state actors in August 2021.

The statement said the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, had visited the pilots at Kainji on Thursday, August 15, to celebrate the achievement.

According to the statement, Air Marshal Abubakar noted that “Reaching 10,000 flight hours is no small feat as it symbolizes the countless hours of training, meticulous planning, and flawless execution that have gone into every mission we have undertaken.”

He said the feat represented the culmination of years of dedication, sacrifice, and commitment to NAF’s mission of “ensuring the integrity of the airspace by gaining and maintaining control of the air while retaining a credible capacity to fulfill other airpower tasks demanded by National defence and security imperatives.

“Invariably, strict adherence to safety measures is enabling us to achieve the desired results,’ he noted.

He then went on to pay tribute to NAF’s fallen heroes, noting that the milestone was a reminder of their sacrifices, courage and commitment which have continued to, ‘inspire us all and remind us of the importance of our mission.

The Air Force chief said the feat represented the exceptional skills, professionalism, and resilience of NAF’s brave men and women who have served and are currently serving.

He expressed delight that the milestone was achieved without any major incident on the aircraft, which he attributed to the high premium the NAF places on safety.

Read Also: NAF graduates 61 finance officers, men

“While praising the unit commander and crew for their tireless efforts at ensuring the accomplishment of all missions in support of NAF’s mandate, the CAS reminded them of the need to be focused and united in their purpose, and resolute in their determination to protect the Nation and its interests,” the statement said.

Earlier, the Air Officer Commanding Air Training Command, Air Vice Marshal Nnamdi Ananaba, said the 10,000 flying hours logged translated to an average of approximately nine hours of daily flying time (or 270 hours monthly) for the past three years with no break.

AVM Ananaba attributed the feat to the countless hours spent in training, the sacrifices made by the brave combat pilots, and the unwavering support of the ground crew.

He noted that the 10,000 flying hours logged by the pilots in three years and without any mishap was a remarkable milestone worthy of celebration even in the most advanced air forces in the world.