The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NAF

  • Air Force Jets bomb Boko Haram base

    The Nigerian Air Force on Saturday said scores of Boko Haram terrorists have been killed during air strikes carried out in the Northeast by the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole.
    The Director of Public Relations and Information of NAF, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya in a statement issued in Abuja, said the air interdictions were conducted after the NAF Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms had established the presence of the terrorists in the area.
    AVM Adesanya said : “The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE yesterday, 15 June 2018, successfully neutralized some Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) at Parisu and Takwala, both in Borno State.
    “The mission followed the discovery, by NAF Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms, of activities of BHTs in the 2 locations.  Consequently, the ATF detailed 2 NAF Alpha Jet aircraft, armed with rockets and cannons, to interdict the locations.
    “Overhead the objective, the NAF fighter aircraft acquired and attacked the objectives with rockets and cannons. At the end of the mission, it was observed that the attack platforms successfully engaged the remnants of the terrorists hibernating within the settlements and consequently neutralized them.
    ” The NAF will continue to deploy its platforms to conduct intensive ISR missions aimed at discovering the locations of possible remnants of BHTs in the entire Northeast”.

  • NAF to stop repair of aircraft abroad – Abubakar

    The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar, said on Saturday the Nigerian Air Force has taken steps to stop the maintenance of military aircraft and other assets abroad.

    He stated this at a ceremony to mark the completion of maintenance of Mi-35P attack helicopter at the 115 Special Operations Group in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    Abubakar said the measure was designed to cut cost and save the nation of funds spent on maintaining such aircraft abroad.

    The NAF chief said: “If we had taken the Mi-35P helicopter to Ukraine we would have to pay for air freight to Ukraine and back to Nigeria. This excludes payment of repair of the aircraft.

    “So, the decision to repair the aircraft in Nigeria is part of our plan to save the nation of foreign exchange as well as build capacity of our technicians and engineers.

    “This is the very first in the history of the Nigerian Air Force that we are conducting live extension programme (repairs) of our Mi-35P helicopter fleet in Nigeria.”

    Abubakar said the repair work was carried out by NAF foreign partners with the support of technicians and engineers from the Force.

    “Another laudable achievement is the expeditious completion of engine two modular change on our EC-135 helicopter. We changed it here rather than take it to South Africa.

    “The repair of the aircraft locally presented our team of technicians and engineers the opportunity to participate and acquire more knowledge.

    “The whole essence is to ensure in no distant future that our technicians will independently carry out repairs on our Mi-helicopter fleets,” Abubakar added.

     

  • NAF attacks Boko Haram camp in Bonne

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said its newly acquired Mi-35M helicopter gunships have successfully attacked Boko Haram militants at a camp, 9.7km South East of Bonne in its ongoing “Operation Thunder Strike.”

    The NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, AVM. Olatokunbo Adesanya, who confirmed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, said the air operation was carried out on Thursday.

    ”An earlier Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance report had indicated the significant presence of terrorists in the camp, following which Mi-35M helicopter gunships were deployed to attack them.

    ”On approaching the target, the Mi-35M helicopter gunships successfully launched rocket and cannon attacks on the camp, in rapid succession.

    ”The footage of the attack, as captured by the helicopter’s airborne camera system, indicated the destruction of the targets as the structures within the BHT camp were engulfed in fire,” he said.

    According to Adesanya, all the terrorists within the camp were also neutralised during the air interdiction.

    NAN

  • UPDATED: Gunmen attack helipad in Bayelsa, kill airman

    Unknown gunmen have attacked a helipad belonging to the Nigerian Air Force in Igbogene, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    It was gathered that an airman on duty at the security post was killed in the attack which occurred at the early hours of Sunday.

    The gunmen, who reportedly scaled the fence of the helipad, made away with the victim’s rifle.

    The helicopter landing site at Igbogene is surrounded by overgrown vegetation and trees, a situation sources said made the place to be an easy target for the attack.

    The Igbogene helipad is a preferred landing site for high-profile visitors to Bayelsa including security chiefs.

    A security source, who described the attack as terrible and daring, said the hoodlums after scaling the fence shot the airman at the security post.

    The source, who spoke in confidence, said the second guard was not inside the helipad when the gunmen struck.

    He said: “The helipad is surrounded by bush. So it was easy for the gunmen to attack it. When they came, they shot the airman at the security post and took his rifle. When the second airman heard the gunshot, he rushed to the site and saw his colleague lying dead.”

    He urged security operatives to always be at alert following preparations for the 2019 general elections.

    “Activities for the 2019 elections have started and hoodlums are looking for weapons. This is one of the ways they go about it. Security operatives should increase their level of alertness,” he added.

    The Nigerian Airforce Headquarters confirmed the attack but said its personnel on duty repelled it in a shootout.

    A statement issued by the Director of NAF Public Relations, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, said the incident happened in the early hours of Sunday as a group of unknown gunmen attacked the guard post at Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Helipad.

    The statement said: “Although the NAF personnel on duty were able to repel the attack, an airman paid the supreme sacrifice in the process.

    “The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has ordered an immediate investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

  • NAF fighter jet neutralises Boko Haram terrorists

    Scores of Boko Haram insurgents were on Monday neutralised by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha jet at Koleram, the service said.

    It said the alpha jet was deployed to provide Close Air Support (CAS) to ground forces conducting clearance operations.

    According to NAF’s spokesman, Olatokunbo Adesanya, an Air Vice Marshal (AVM), the fighter jet’s deployment followed calls by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division that the ground troops came in contact with Boko Haram elements.

    He said: “The GOC therefore requested for support from the NAF, sequel to which the Alpha Jet was immediately scrambled to provide CAS. There were exchanges of fire between BHTs and our ground forces.

    Read also: NAF Chief charges Nigerians, personnel on service delivery

    “The crew of a Nigerien Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft established contact with the ground troops and guided the Alpha Jet aircraft crew to the major source of fire from the Boko Haram terrorists, which was seen coming from a particular settlement.

    “Consequently, the NAF Alpha Jet engaged the target with rockets and cannons, neutralizing the terrorists and destroying their weapons. The Air Task Force will continue to conduct missions, on request, in support of the efforts of our troops in the counterinsurgency operations in the Northeast.”

  • Fish farming: NAF empowers 100 barrack youths

    To boost local production of fish and encourage entrepreneurship among barrack youths, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) yesterday empowered 100 youths with skills for fish farming.

    The empowerment was facilitated by the Logistics Command of the NAF in Lagos under the Base Youths Empowerment Through Agriculture (BYETA) programme of the Chief of Air Staff  (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

    Flagging off the programme yesterday, Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Toyin Suara, said it was in line with the government’s vision on food security and job creation.

    Suara, who was represented by the Director Fisheries, Mrs. Tokunbo Emokpae said the state intend to increase local food production from 18 percent to 25 percent by 2025.

    The Commissioner said 600 youths had been trained on the Agricultural Youth Empowerment Scheme in fisheries, livestocks and crops, adding that 60 others were recently aided to start up fish farms at Epe.

    He said: “This is towards the need to encourage youths in the state to embrace agriculture. Thus, the state has put in place various projects and programmes on agriculture for our youths in the state.

    “We have the rice for job programme, which we have started in Epe and Badagry. Already, 400 youths have benefitted from this programme.”

    Earlier, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Nnamdi Ekeh, said the programme was aimed at empowering youths economically in order to curb social vices and crime.

    Eke said it was also to promote agriculture and self-sufficiency among the youths, hoping that the base would in the nearest future, become the hub of fish buyers within the community.

    In his remarks, Commander, 651 Base Service Group (BSG), Mike Olatunji said: “It is hoped that this will encourage the youths in the base and its surrounding community to take up fish farming and other agricultural activities to empower themselves.”

  • NAF trains barrack youths on fish farming

    To boost local production of fish and encourage entrepreneurship among barrack youths, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Wednesday empowered 100 youths on fish farming.

    The empowerment was facilitated by the Logistics Command of the NAF in Lagos under the Base Youths Empowerment Through Agriculture (BYETA) programme initiated by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

    Flagging off the programme,  Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Toyin Suara, said it was in line with the government’s vision on food security and job creation.

    Suara, who was represented by the Director of Fisheries in the ministry, Mrs. Tokunbo Emokpae, said the state intend to increase local food production from 18 percent to 25 percent by 2025.

    The commissioner said 600 youths had been trained on the Agricultural Youth Empowerment Scheme in fisheries, livestocks and crops, adding that 60 others were recently aided to start up fish farms at Epe.

    He said: “This is towards the need to encourage youths in the state to embrace agriculture. Thus, the state has put in place various projects and programmes on agriculture for our youths in the state.

    “We have the rice for job programme, which we have started in Epe and Badagry. Already, 400 youths have benefitted from this programme.”

    Earlier, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal Nnamdi Ekeh, said the programme was aimed at empowering youths economically in order to curb social vices and crime.

     

     

  • NAF destroys Boko Haram’s vehicles in Lake Chad

    … Several insurgents killed

    The Nigerian Air Force said on Tuesday its troops successfully destroyed some Boko Haram vehicles found in the Lake Chad region.

    NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, AVM Olatokunbo Adesanya, who confirmed this in a statement issued in Abuja, said the operation was carried out on April 13 by the Air Task Force as part of Operation Lafiya Dole.

    He said: “Earlier on, a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft had discovered Boko Haram activities, with some vehicles mounted with guns moving within the location.

    “Accordingly, the ATF detailed NAF Mi-35M Helicopter gunships to conduct Air Interdiction strikes to take out the targets.

    “Overhead the location, the attack platform acquired, interdicted and neutralised the targets with rockets and cannons.

    “The subsequent Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) revealed that at the end of the attack, a Boko Haram gun truck, with its entire occupants, was completely destroyed and engulfed in fire.”

    Adesanya said another terrorists’ vehicle was damaged and immobilised as a result of the attack, while several insurgents were killed in the process.

    “The NAF continues to provide adequate air support through the ATF of Operation Lafiya Dole by conducting a range of air operations to create the necessary environment for ground operations to continue apace,” the NAF spokesman added.

    NAN

  • NAF kills Boko Haram militants in Borno

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said on Tuesday the Air Task Force unit of Operation Lafiya Dole in a combined operation with NAF carried out air strikes against Boko Haram terrorists in Arege and Tumbum Rago areas of Borno State, killing several insurgents in the process.

    The NAF Spokesperson, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, said in a statement that ISR Platforms were used for the strikes which destroyed Boko Haram vehicles and killed the occupants inside.

    He said: “The Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole in a combined operation with the Nigerien Air Force on 8 April 2018 launched a coordinated air strike on Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) locations at AREGE and TUMBUN RAGO in Borno State.

    “The successful attacks followed reports received sequel to an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission conducted by an aircraft belonging to Nigerien Air Force, which revealed BHT activities at Arege and Tumbum Rago.

    “Consequently, the ATF detailed Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet and F-7Ni aircraft to conduct Air Interdiction strikes on the locations while the ISR aircraft from Niger provided necessary support and also conducted Battle Damage Assessment (BDA).

    “The subsequent BDA revealed that during the first wave of attacks at Arege, several vehicles belonging to BHTs were totally destroyed, killing all the occupants in the process. Furthermore, the NAF fighter aircraft neutralized fleeing BHTs in subsequent waves of attack.

    “Thereafter, NAF fighter aircraft and the ISR aircraft from Niger again combined to successfully attack BHT locations at Tumbum Rago.

    “The combined operations by the air forces of both countries are part of renewed efforts at clearing BHT elements from their known locations in North East Nigeria.”

     

     

  • NAF, Army foil suicide attack in Borno, kill bombers

    The Nigerian Air Force said on Monday its Special Forces in conjunction with Nigerian Army troops foiled a Boko Haram suicide attack at the University of Maiduguri, Borno state.

    The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, said in a statement that a suicide bomber and another Boko Haram fighter were killed during the operation.

    He said: “Special Forces of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), in conjunction with some Nigerian Army (NA) troops, successfully foiled a suicide bombing attack by Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) at University of Maiduguri, Borno State in the night of 8 April 2018.

    ” The BHT suicide bombers tried to gain access into the university but were quickly detected by the NAF Special Forces. Meanwhile, the vest on one of the suicide bombers was detonated before they could gain access into the hostel, leading to a commotion.

    “However, there was no reported fatality except for the suicide bomber, whose counterparts immediately fled, when the NAF Special Forces and the NA troops opened fire on them. The NAF Agusta Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) then went in pursuit of the fleeing BHTs, following which an additional suicide bomber was identified and neutralized.

    “The NAF Agusta LUH was still searching for the other fleeing BHTs at the time of filing this report. Members of the public, especially those around the university premises are, therefore, requested to be very vigilant.”