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Tag: NAF

  • 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.

    Read Also: NAF  wants quick delivery of A-29 Super Tucano Aircraft

    “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.

  • How NAF saved ground troops from water starvation in Alagarno – Abubakar

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Tuesday explained how ground forces in the fight against Boko Haram cut off behind enemy lines were saved from water starvation at Alagarno, Borno State, last year.

    Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said NAF deployed helicopters to supply water to the trapped troops.

    Abubakar spoke at the Logistics Command’s simulation of air lifting and supply of relief materials held at the 631 Aircraft Maintenance Depot (ACMD), Ikeja, Lagos.

    Codenamed Exercise OMO OLOJA, the simulation, which was flagged off by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, was designed to train the personnel of the Logistics Command in the conduct of medium scale airlift operations.

    Abubakar said: “The critical importance of air logistics support was amply demonstrated in 2017 when the Nigerian Air Force contained the development of an ugly situation in Alagarno through supply of drinking water by helicopters to ground troops, who had been cut off behind enemy lines.

    “From the foregoing, it’s clear that the best planned operations could fail without logistics support and hence the need to use Logistics Command from time to time to determine the effectiveness of our logistics support arrangements in support of NAF operations.”

    As an instrument of national power, he said the NAF had been contributing its quota to the counter insurgency campaign through the projection of air power and deployment of Special Forces in theatre of operations.

     

     

  • NAF kills bandits in Zamfara forests

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said on Monday that several armed bandits were killed at Sububu Forest, Birni Magaji and Rugu Forest in Zamfara State following air strikes and helicopter gunship attacks on their hideouts.

    The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said in a statement that the air interdictions and reconnaissance missions against the bandits were carried out in quick succession between August 9 and 11.

    He said some of the bandits were neutralized quickly as they were discovered to be advancing for attack on Birni Magaji village with automatic weapons mounted on motorcycles.

    The statement read: “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Air Task Force (ATF) for OPERATION DIRAN MIKIYA has notched up another successful operations against armed bandits in the North West part of the country.

    “The successes were recorded in recent air interdiction and armed reconnaissance missions conducted from 9 to 11 August 2018, resulting in the neutralization of armed bandits in Sububu Forest, Birnin Magaji and Rugu Forest in Zamfara State.

    “The attack at Sububu Forest was executed on the afternoon of 9 August 2018 following the discovery of a bandits’ hideout within the forest. Earlier in the morning on the same day, the ATF had conducted a coordinated clearance operation involving NAF Special Forces at a suspected armed bandits’ camp on the outskirts of Galadi in the North West of Zamfara State.

    “During this operation, the bandits were discovered to have vacated the camp and dispersed into the nearby Sububu Forest. Consequently, the ATF dispatched a combat aircraft for armed reconnaissance to seek out and destroy the bandits. The aircraft subsequently spotted a large number of bandits within the forest and neutralized them.

    “Similarly, on 10 August 2018, a combat helicopter on a reconnaissance mission spotted a group of bandits, armed with automatic weapons and mounted on motorcycles, at a location about 6km Northeast of Birnin Magaji in the Eastern part of Zamfara State. From all indications, the armed bandits were advancing for an attack on Birnin Magaji.”

     

     

  • NAF deploys more troops and air assets to Katsina, Gusau

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said it has deployed more troops and air assets as well as equipment and logistics to Katsina and Gusau in line with the directives of President Muhammadu Buhari that additional troops be sent to curtail the activities of bandits in the North West.

    NAF spokeperson, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, said in a statement in Abuja that the deployment started with the NAF C-130H airlifting required logistic in preparation for the commencement of operation Diran Mikiya for the area.

    He said: “In compliance with the directives of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has deployed additional troops and air assets along with necessary ground support equipment and logistics facilities to Katsina and Gusau in support of anti-armed banditry operations in the North West.

    “The deployment began on 29 July 2018 with the NAF C-130H aircraft airlifting required logistics in preparation for the commencement of OPERATION DIRAN MIKIYA, which commenced earlier today, 31 July 2018. The intensive air operation is aimed at seeking out, pursuing and destroying elements engaged in banditry in Zamfara State and environs.

    “Speaking today after launching the Operation, the new Air Officer Commanding, Special Operations Command, Air Vice Marshal Samson Akpasa, stated that fighter aircraft, helicopter gunships as well as Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms alongside necessary equipment and personnel had been deployed for the conduct of OPERATION DIRAN MIKIYA.

    “He noted that the operation, which was being conducted in close coordination with other security agencies, would be executed with precision and high intensity to quickly degrade the armed bandits and pave way for the return of normalcy in the affected areas.

    “He emphasized that there would be no hiding place for the armed bandits as the NAF would be employing all the means at its disposal to detect the movement and locations of the armed bandits.

    “The AOC SOC, who has just been appointed as part of steps taken by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, to give additional impetus to NAF operations in the North West, later conducted an aerial reconnaissance mission over Gusau and environs.

    “The newly appointed Air Component Commander OPERATION SHARAN DAJI, Air Commodore Ayoola Jolasinmi, accompanied him on the mission, during which they visited some critical areas of interest.”

     

     

     

  • NAF bombs Boko Haram hideouts in Borno, kills insurgents

    The Nigerian Air Force said on Monday that scores of Boko Haram terrorists have been killed during air strikes in Tongule, south-west of Dikwa in Borno State.

    The Spokesperson for NAF, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, said in a statement that the air operation was conducted after an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform has been used to establish the presence of Boko Haram fighters in the area.

    Adesanya said the mission was planned and executed to prevent the terrorists from carrying out attacks against troops’ location in the general area.

    He said: “The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, on 29 July 2018, successfully conducted a massive attack on Tongule Village, 9km South West of Dikwa in Borno State.

    “The successful air strikes were sequel to a credible intelligence that several Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) were massing up at the location, having occupied the entire village.

    “Consequently, the mission was immediately planned and executed to prevent the BHTs from carrying out attacks against troops’ locations in the general area.

    “Upon receiving the intelligence, the ATF scrambled NAF Alpha Jet aircraft and Mi-35M helicopter gunships, which subsequently attacked structures occupied by BHT elements in the location with bombs rockets and canons, in quick succession.

    “As a result of the air strikes, several BHTs were neutralized in the village while a few survivors, seen fleeing the location, were taken out in subsequent follow-up attacks.

    “There was also intensive damage to the settlement as captured by the NAF Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform.”

  • ITF trains NAF on skills acquisition

    The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has completed training 200 officers of Nigerian Air Force in different skills. The officers were drawn from all parts of the country and  it is expected that they will transfer the skills acquired to their jobs while others will learn from them.

    Its Director-General, Joseph Ari, spoke during the graduation ceremony of the batch B of Basic Works Skills Development Programme in Abuja. He assured  that the  trainees  have been equipped with tools, kits for use on the job.

    Represented by Director, Field Services Department at ITF, Mrs.  Adesola Taiwa, the DG said the first batch of 100 students graduated in February 2018.

    Ari said: “The 92 graduating today were drawn from the different commands and units across the country and have been trained for three months in six different areas, plumbing, welding and fabrication,  electrical installation and others.”

  • Court discharges former NAF director for alleged fraud

    Justice Garba Salisu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Maitama has discharged and acquitted a Former Director of Admin in the Nigeria Air Force(NAF) Alkali Mamu.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Mr Mamu was charged in June, 2016 for alleged collection of gratification while on duty.

    According to the prosecutor the defendant received g $300, 000 and another 5.9 million for the purchase of Range Rover Evoque member of Procurement and Planning Committee of Ministry of Defence.

    He was also alleged to have received two vehicles, namely an Expedition SUV and a Jaguar XF Saloon, valued at N15 million and N12 million, respectively, from a company Societe D’ Equipment Internationaux Nigeria Ltd., a contractor with the Nigerian Air Force.

    At the last adjourned date, Mr Joesph Daudu (SAN), urged the court to acquit Mamu because the prosecution did not prove the ingredient of the offence.

    “Upon a review of the four counts, the prosecution did not prove any ingredient of the offence alleged against the defendant.

    “The offence is not strict liability offence under the sections he was charged,” he submitted.

    He added that the prosecution failed to call the alleged giver of the gift to testify in court against the receiver of the gift.

    Read Also: Alleged N5.9m car gift: AVM Mamu knows fate June 29

    “That makes the foundation of the allegation to fail.” He submitted that because money was found in someone’s account; means that it was a proceeds of a bribe.

    He added that there was no nexus between the named giver of the bribe and the receiver, and should jettison the allegations and acquit the defendant. He urged the court also to order that anything ceased from the defendant should be returned to him.

    The prosecuting counsel, Mr Sylvanus Tahir, urged the court to go ahead and convict Mamu because the prosecution had made a prima facie case against the defendant. He added that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. “Our argument is copiously stated in our final written address and we urged the court to carefully go through it” he submitted.

    He urged the court to go ahead and convict the defendant.

    Justice Salisu while delivering his judgement said the prosecution failed to comply with constitutional provisions for obtaining the statement of the witness.

    The judge also said the prosecution witness confirmed in court that the commission knew the location of a vital Ima Abubakar and still failed to bring the witness to court.

    He said:”the prosecution failed to prove it’s case against the defendant and consequently discharged him of the four-count brought against the accused”

  • NAF commits over 1300 officers to herdsmen/farmers crisis

    The Air Force has committed 1300 officers to the herdsmen/farmer crisis ravaging the nation.

    The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, disclosed this yesterday in Makurdi during his operational visit at NAF Tactical Air Command Headquarters, Makurdi, where he inaugurated the Single Officers Quarters and a Cancer Screening Centre.

    “Regarding the security situation in the Benue State, NAF on its part has actively participated in the efforts to curbing the challenges with the commitment of over 1000 troops and 300 Special Forces to Nguroje, Agatu, and Doma communities.

    “I wish to restate our commitment to ensure that Benue State and the country at large is rid of all forms of security challenges that hinder our economic, social and cultural wellbeing.

    “We shall also continue our ongoing infrastructural renewal towards the achievement of a decent and conducive work environment in all our bases.”

    The CAS said the decision to build a cancer screening centre in Makurdi was in recognition that the disease was the second leading cause of death globally and has accounted for 8.8 million deaths in 2015 according to World Health Organisation (WHO).

    He said the centre would facilitate early diagnosis and prevention of premature deaths among NAF personnel, families and host communities.

    He said the screening centre was a multi-purpose facility with state of the art equipment adding that counseling and referral services as well as vaccination against the human papilloma virus would also be available.

  • NAF deploys Combat Helicopter to Gusau

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has deployed a combat helicopter to its 207 Quick Response Group (QRG) in Gusau.

    According to a statement by AVM Olatokunbo Adesanya, NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information,the deployment of the artillery EC-135 helicopter is part of efforts aimed at intensifying the fight against armed banditry in Zamfara and environs.

    “The helicopter will operate from the recently constructed helipads at 207 QRG Gusau thereby, enhancing overall operational effectiveness,” Adesanya said.

    Accordingly, NAF will be better positioned to provide the needed air support to the additional surface forces just deployed by the Defence Headquarters to tackle the security challenges in the State.

    Read Also: Air Force deploys two helicopters to Zamfara

    “Other NAF air assets, however, remain available on nearby alternate airfields to add impetus to air operations in the State as might be necessary,” he said.

    He said that AVM Ismaila Kaita, the Air Officer Commanding Special Operations Command of the NAF, also undertook an operational visit to the Unit to obtain firsthand information on the situation and address any possible challenges.

    He said that visit by Kaita revealed that the morale of the deployed NAF Special Forces was high and they are in a state of high alert.

  • NAF bombs bandits’ hideouts in Zamfara

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Monday commenced aerial bombardments of bandits’ hideouts in Zamfara State.

    The Commander of the 207 Quick Response Group of NAF, Group Capt. Caleb Olayera, disclosed this to journalists in Gusau.

    He was speaking after taking delivery of two airplanes deployed for the operation.

    Olayera described the operation as part of a joint military operation, involving NAF, army, police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to flush out the bandits.

    Olayera said two helipads had already been constructed by NAF for the Zamfara security operation.

    “We told you that the helipads will be used as the base for our fighter jets to neutralise any group of criminals and their hideouts,” he said.

    He assured that peace would soon return to troubled communities in Zamfara with the commencement of the military operation.

    NAN