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  • NAF acquires, reactivates five additional air craft to fight insurgency

    NAF acquires, reactivates five additional air craft to fight insurgency

    The Nigerian Air Force ( NAF ) on Monday said it had acquired and renovated five additional air craft to fight insurgency and other crimes in the country.

    The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, disclosed this at the Fourth Quarter 2017 CAS conference with the Branch Chiefs, Air Officer Commanding (AOCs) , Field Commanders, among others at its Headquarters in Abuja.

    Abubakar said the aim of the conference was to appraise progress made in NAF since the end of the Third Quarter held in Kaduna State in September.

    The CAS said further that the reason for the conference was also to obtain ideas from the bottom to the top, toward moving the service forward.

    He explained that to enable the service carry out its mandate, of protecting the country, the institution had trained a number of pilots and had already been deployed for operational duties.

    “A female pilot, for the first time in the history of NAF, was on the way to the United States Air Force for training as a fighter pilot.

    “Having graduated as the overall best pilot during ab-initio training at 401 Flying Training School Kaduna State,” he said.

    Abubakar explained further that for the service to carry out its professional duties, NAF had also activated additional platforms which had been deployed for operations in the North-East.

    “One Bell 412 Helicopter had been activated, while work on the second one would be completed before end of December.

    “One Mi-35P Helicopter is being reactivated and should be ready for operation by January 2018 ending.

    “The overhauled engines needed for the reactivation had already arrived in Nigeria. The reactivation is being done locally to further build the capacity of NAF technical personnel as well as saving cost,” he said.

    The CAS added that foreign technical experts had been invited to execute the project in conjunction with NAF engineers and technicians.

    Abubakar said the two additional Mi-35M helicopters recently procured for NAF by the Federal Government had been test flown in Russia and should be operational in Nigeria by February 2018.

    Read also: NAF medical outreach in IDPs camps, Borno, successful

    He said a total of five combat helicopters were being added to NAF counter-insurgency efforts.

    “The Periodic Depot Maintenance (PDM) of C-130H Aircraft had commenced in Lagos State, also being done locally by foreign technical experts with personnel for capacity building.

    “Similarly, the Service life of C-130H aircraft NAF 913 has been successfully extended. The foregoing efforts are to boost the strategic and operational airlift capability of NAF,” he said.

    The CAS said further that the air operations in the North-East had been reorganised for increased efficiency.

    He added that the Air Component Commander had been replaced with a Commander, Air Task Force, an Air Vice Marshal, who reports to the Theatre Commander.

    He said NAF had also appointed three Divisional Air Liaison Officers (DALO) for the Nigerian Army’s 3 Armourer Division well as 7 and 8 Divisions in the North-East.

    He said the whole idea was to ensure a better coordination of air efforts with ground operations. The NAF has also appointed an Air Liaison Officer for the Theatre Command to further limit the possibility of gaps in operations.

    “In the area of Force Protection, NAF has trained some of its Regiment personnel as additional Special Forces and deployed them to the North-East for operations alongside other surface forces.

    “NAF has graduated the second set of participants from its Air War College in Makurdi, Benue, the graduates are expected to add value to the Service in general and in operational activities,” he said.

    The CAS enjoined the senior officers to be frank in their contributions, identify challenges and proffer ways of moving the NAF forward.

    NAN

  • NAF jets hit Boko Haram hideouts, kill several insurgents

    NAF jets hit Boko Haram hideouts, kill several insurgents

    The Nigerian Air Force ( NAF ) said on Tuesday it has carried out bombings of Boko Haram targets in the North East, killing scores of insurgents through air strikes.

    The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, said in a statement in Abuja that the force personnel carried out several interdictions and destroyed Boko Haram structures in Bogumeri and Gwoza in the North East part of the country.

    The statement which was supported with the video footage of the air strikes reads: “In furtherance of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), on 24 November 2017, successfully neutralized a large gathering of Boko Haram Terrorists in Bogumeri, Borno State.

    “A NAF platform, while on routine Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), had previously discovered the large gathering of the BHTs in the area, which was known to have significant BHT presence.

    “Consequently, NAF fighter aircraft were detailed to carry out air interdiction on the target, in quick succession. The Alpha Jet fighter aircraft attacked the target with bombs, killing the insurgents and setting some structures ablaze.

    “Meanwhile, in a separate attack on 28 November 2017, the NAF successfully neutralized another large gathering of BHTs in Gobara, 15km north west of Gwosa. A NAF ISR platform had previously discovered the armed BHTs, who were gathered by a building that was apparently being used as a hideout.

    “The subsequent air strike resulted in the immediate destruction of the target building, killing all the BHTs inside it.”

     

     

  • NAF graduates 414 special forces

    NAF graduates 414 special forces

    The Nigerian Air Force ( NAF ) on Thursday graduated 414 special forces of its personnel out which 396 were airmen, airwomen and 18 were Officers.

    The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar made the disclosure during the Combined graduation of Basic Regiment Officers, airmen and Gunnery II Course and special forces course 2017, at the Military Training Centre NAF base in Kaduna.

    The Air Chief was represented by Air Officer Commanding, Ground Training Command, AVM Samson Akpasa.

    Abubakar said the 414 personnel undergone various special courses, which include intermediate regiment airmen course and special forces course, others are basic regiment officers course and basic regiment airmen,and airwomen course.

    “All these culminated to the force protection in complex air ground environment course.

    “The knowledge you have acquired couple with the practical exercise in basic field tactics, weapon training, map reading and airfield defence training are designed to prepare you for prompt deployment as the need arises.

    “I am sure you have imbibed the attributes of the military profession absolutely loyalty discipline, honesty, intelligence, accountability, teamwork and courage among other values.

    “I want you to note that it is the possession of these virtues that binds all ranks in the service,” he said

    Abubakar reminded the personnel that the service invested enormous resources in accomplishing the training, saying “it is therefore desirable that you reciprocate the good gesture.”

    He said that NAF will continue to support all efforts to make the regiment a fighting force with the requisite capacity in the protection of NAF asset.

    The Air Chief appreciated the unending support of President Muhammadu Buhari, who adequately provided funding for training and operational activities of NAF.

    Earlier the Commandant Regiment Training Centre, Group Captain, Isa’ac Subi , said the curriculum of regiment training centre were re-structured to make more effective and efficient in training personnel to meet changing complexities of military operation.

    Subi said the topics covered include, understanding threats, the motivation, methodologies of attack, troops leading, signal communication, combat medics counter terrorism among others.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the training were conducted by the Israeli Military Training Organisation and British Military Advisory Training Team (BMATT).

  • NAF builds 400 modern shops for officers’ families

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) yesterday kick-started the construction of a modern market with 400 locked-up shops for the welfare of the families of its officers.

    The facility, which is located at the Sam Ethnam Base in Ikeja, the Lagos State capital, will be leased out to spouses of NAF personnel, who would pay by instalments.

    Performing the ground-breaking ceremony, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar said the initiative was to cushion the effects of the recent recession.

    Abubakar, who was represented by the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Ibrahim Yahaya, said: “It is true we live in perilous times with several challenges. The impact of global socio-economic challenges on our everyday lives further includes domestic stress arising from the demand and supply of our daily needs.

    “We need markets to create an interaction that will lead to the ultimate desired goal in our daily lives. Anyone with a product or service cannot expect that a customer will regularly look for your goods at your home. This underscores the need for a modern market with standard facilities to satisfy the needs of the personnel and other beneficiaries from our host communities.

    “The design of the market was conceived to meet modern standards and in conformity with NAF culture of excellence. There will be no room for criminal elements to be harboured. The facility is designed with adequate provisions to carter for all our social needs.

    “Moreover, to ensure high standards, our personnel would be given prime priority to acquire and operate the new market facilities.”

    The Managing Director of NAF Properties Limited, Air Commodore Musa Tanko said the project would boost the morale of the officers to give their best in their service to the nation.

    He said: “It’s a truism that welfare is a morale booster to personnel. This will reinforce the culture of self-reliance and prudent management of resources.”

    “As part of the several efforts to consolidate on the achievements of the current administration on personnel welfare, NAF Properties Limited keyed into the vision of the CAS by desiring to construct about 400 locked-up shops with modern market facilities to serve personnel in Lagos and members of our host community.”

  • NAF destroys insurgents building in Sambisa

    NAF destroys insurgents building in Sambisa

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has continued to rain significant fire on insurgents hideouts, with intensive day and night aerial bombardments.

    The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, disclosed this on Saturday in Abuja.

    According to a statement by Adesanya, on Oct. 30, NAF conducted an air interdiction mission on a blue-roofed structure in TALALA, the insurgents infested location in Sambisa.

    “Intelligence reports from NAF Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance platforms as well as Human Intelligence had revealed that a sizeable number of insurgents were holding a meeting in the blue-roofed building.

    “Consequently, a NAF fighter aircraft was scrambled to attack the building.

    “Subsequent Battle Damage Assessment revealed that the building and its occupants were neutralised as a result of the air strike,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NAF initiated Operation ‘RUWAN WUTA II’, on Oct. 23 to further decimate the ability of the insurgents with a view to giving advantage to the surface forces.

  • NAF bombs Sambisa Forest

    NAF bombs Sambisa Forest

    The Nigerian Air Force said it has bombarded Boko Haram enclaves in Sambisa with air strikes from 5 aircrafts resulting in heavy casualties since the commencement of Operation Ruwan Wuta II.

    The NAF said within three days of the rain of fire on the insurgents in the Northeast, their structures have been destroyed , while survivors who were fleeing the target areas were neutralized with rockets and cannons.

    The Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya said in a statement that the air interdictions were meant to clear remnants of the insurgents from their various hideouts in the Northeast.

    The statement reads: “In continuation of Operation RUWAN WUTA II, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has continued to rain significant fire on Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) locations, with intensive day and night aerial bombardments.

    “On 24 Oct 17, the second day of the Operation, the NAF conducted an air interdiction mission on the BHT-infested settlement of GHATA MUSA, located about 16km Northwest of MADAGALI.

    “The location was observed to have significant BHT activities, indicative of its use as a hideout for the insurgents. The air interdiction was conducted by 5 aircraft namely 2 F-7Ni aircraft, armed with bombs and 3 Alpha Jet aircraft, armed with a combination of bombs, rockets and cannons.

    ” Two Alpha Jet aircraft and 2 F-Ni aircraft took turns to pound the location with bombs, destroying some structures and sending a few BHT survivors fleeing from the location.

    ” Thereafter, the third Alpha Jet Aircraft returned to strafe the location with rockets and cannons, neutralizing some fleeing insurgents in the process.

    “On Day 3 of the Operation, the NAF conducted another air interdiction mission on a BHT structure in Parisu, which is the Northeastern gateway into the Sambisa Forest.

    “The target building in Parisu was confirmed to be a BHT hideout and subsequently earmarked for attack. Four NAF aircraft  namely: 2 x F-7Ni aircraft, armed with bombs and 2 x Alpha Jet aircraft, armed with bombs and rockets, conducted the air interdiction.

    “One Alpha Jet aircraft and the 2 x F-7Ni aircraft took turns to attack the location with bombs, thereby destroying the target structure.

    “This was followed up with rockets and cannons’ attack of the target area, by the second Alpha Jet aircraft, after which no terrorist movement was further observed at the location.

  • Boko Haram: NAF air strikes kills scores of insurgents

    Boko Haram: NAF air strikes kills scores of insurgents

    The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) yesterday said it carried out two attacks on Boko Haram hideouts in Borno State, to signal the start of Operation Ruwan Wuta II, to further decimate the terrorists.

    It added that many insurgents were killed and their structures destroyed.

    NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, in a statement, said the operation was carried out after a series of surveillance and intelligence reports.

    The statement reads: “The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) has begun Operation Ruwan Wuta II, as part of efforts to further decimate Boko Haram terrorists.

    “The operation, which began on October 23, is essentially an intensive day-and-night aerial bombardment to rain significant fire on freshly-discovered Boko Haram hideouts.

    “On the first day of the operation, several air interdiction missions were conducted, including one on a location in Garin Maloma.

    “Previous intelligence reports, gathered through Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, showed the presence of a large number of terrorists in some dispersed structures in Garin Maloma.

    “Consequently, the location was attacked in succession by two Alpha Jet aircraft. The first aircraft attacked the settlement with bombs, which destroyed the targeted structures and caused fire, sending a few survivors scampering for safety.

    “The second aircraft, which strafed the area with rockets, took out some of the fleeing terrorists. Their hideouts in Arra and Boboshe, among others, were successfully attacked by the NAF Mi-17 helicopter and the newly acquired Mi-35M helicopter.”

    Mallama Fitdasi, wife of Abubakar Shekau, leader of the Boko Haram terrorist organisation, appeared to be one of those killed in the air strikes.

    Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya said: “Human Intelligence indicates that the wife of the Boko Haram leader, Mallama Fitdasi, appeared to have been killed in the airstrikes on Durawa settlement.

    “Mallama Fitdasi was reported to have been representing her husband in a coordinating meeting with other terrorists.

    “Efforts are on to confirm her death.”

  • Four Air force personnel, others arrested for ‘vandalising’ water pipes

    Four Air force personnel, others arrested for ‘vandalising’ water pipes

    The Police in Lagos on Monday paraded four new recruits of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and seven others including an employee of the  Lagos State Water Corporation for vandalising iron pipes worth about N25million.

    Air Crew Men (ACM) Akingbola Wole, Ugbong Abel, Alalifu George and Kumish Revelation attached to 055 NAF Camp, Victoria Island, were contracted by the Water Board’s employee, Olayiwole Oyedele to provide security during the vandalism on Saturday morning.

    Also arrested were the buyer, Okechukwu Alozie, Wale Lawal, Babatunde Samson, Ismaila Adejare, Iliasu Ibrahim and Ikechukwu Ezemba.

    It was gathered that Oyedele sold the irons to Alozie for N650,000 and had already collected N200,000 upfront.
    According to Oyedele, he agreed to pay the soldiers N35,000 for their service, adding that Wole collected N20,000 as advance payment.

    He said: “I have been a civil servant with Lagos State Government for over 22 years. I work with the water corporation. The irons are scraps that we abandoned after installing new ones.

    Air Force nabbed
    Air Force nabbed

    “I was not supposed to carry them but the buyer (Alozie) contacted me that the one that was auctioned to him has finished and he wanted more.

    “So, when we went to carry those ones where they were abandoned, hoodlums in the area refused. They did not demand money but they said we would not carry them.

    “That was how I contacted one of my relatives and told him I needed some soldiers that would help scare the hoodlums away and also escort the pipes to China Town, where the buyer wanted them delivered.

    “It was Akingbola (Wole) that he introduced me to. He was the one I gave the money to and he brought his other colleagues. I did not discuss anything with the others.

    It was at the point of loading that policemen came and arrested us all.”

    But the soldiers claimed they never knew that Oyedele was stealing the irons, adding that they discovered it at the scene when they saw that the pipes were government property.

    Wole, who admitted that he collected N20,000 from Oyedele, said the others did not know the amount paid.

    He claimed that he demanded to see a note instructing Oyedele to carry the pipes when they got to the scene, adding that he personally took the note to the police for confirmation.

    Wole said: “I did not know that he was stealing the pipes. When he called me, he said that he wanted an escort to carry some pipes. I told my course mates that we were going for guard duty at a wedding.

    “I told them that the person in charge provided transport for us but I did not tell them how much. It was when we got to the scene that they know that it was water pipes. But when I saw the pipes, I told the man that they were government property and that we need to see a pass.

    “He showed us his identity card that he worked there and also showed a letter that indicated he was permitted to carry the pipes. I told my other colleagues to wait there and I went to the police station to confirm the man’s claim.

    “But before I got to the station, I saw that the police have already arrested them and told the civilians among them to sit on the ground.”

    The other soldiers lamented that they knew nothing about the deal, insisting that they were only out to help a ‘relative’ of their course mate who was supposed to be a wedding.

    There was however mild drama at the parade ground after Ezemba started wailing insisting he knew nothing about the crime.

    Ezemba, a lottery man, said he was only watching in amazement as policemen arrested the soldiers when he was roped in.

    He said: “I do not know anything about it. I am a Lotto man and was passing by when I saw policemen arresting soldiers. I was surprised because I did not know the police could arrest military people. I was watching and next thing, they arrested me. My family members do not know I am here even. I am innocent.”

    Parading the suspects, acting Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal said they were arrested around 11:42am on Saturday, following a tip off.

    He said: “We received information that some group of robbers with some Air Force personnel wearing military camouflage where at Doyin Bus Stop, Orile vandalizing iron pipe belonging to Lagos State Water Corporation.

    “They had one clerk crane and an Iveco 63 truck marked MUS772 XD. Two decoy teams of SARS operatives were mobilized to Orile to monitor the situation and in the process, seven of the suspects were arrested while vandalizing the iron pipe with four Air Force personnel giving them security back up to avoid police interference at the point of loading the iron pipes.

    “The Air Force personnel would be handed over to their Commanding Officer while the other suspects would be charged to court.”

    Similarly, the police arrested one Onyekachi Osunkwo, 35, who admitted to having bought countless stolen vehicles.

    Osunkwo, who claimed to have been imprisoned in the United States of America in 2014 and in Nigeria the following year for the same offence, said he was glued to the business because he made 100 percent profit.

    According to him, he usually sold each vehicle with 100 percent profit, adding that his supplies brought stolen vehicles for him at least twice a week.

    The Imo State indigene said he was introduced into the business by one Ndubuisi when he returned from the US in 2014, adding that though he made so much money from it, he had done nothing tangible with the money.

    He said: “I usually help people. If I buy a car N400,000,  I sell it for N800,000. From the profit, I usually assisted people with needs. I haven’t done anything tangible with all the money I made from buying stolen cars.

    “There was a time I had so much money that I wanted to pay my landlord three years upfront. But I did not because I did not want him to start suspecting me. So, I usually paid him yearly. I was arrested at my residence in Iba Estate. They didn’t tell me what my offence was. They just told me to follow them to the station and it was when I got here that they said I usually bought stolen vehicles.  I didn’t argue. I have already told the police everything I know.”

    The police said Toyota Sienna Buses marked LSR246EL and EKY434CA, as well as a Toyota Corolla car APP09SN were recovered from Osunkwo, urging the rightful owners to come forward with evidence and claim the vehicles.

  • NAF Jet bombs Boko Haram structures, kills scores

    NAF Jet bombs Boko Haram structures, kills scores

    The Nigerian Air Force, NAF said at the weekend that it has carried out air strikes against the Boko Haram insurgents in the northeast resulting in the death of a number of them and destroying their structures.
    According to the Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya the air interdiction was conducted by one Alpha Jet aircraft following intelligence reports indicating the presence of Boko Haram terrorists in the area.
    Adesanya said in a statement supported with a short video clip of the operation that the aircraft acquired and attacked the target twice with bombs which resulted in neutralizing most of the Boko Haram Terrorists.
    The statement reads: ” On 19 October 2017, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF ) Component of Operation LAFIYA DOLE conducted an attack on a location in URGA area close to KONDUGA.
    ” Previous intelligence reports, gathered through Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions by NAF ISR platforms, had indicated the presence of a large number of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) in DURWAWA settlement in the outskirt of URGA.
    ” Accordingly, one Alpha Jet aircraft was detailed to carry out air interdiction on the target. Overhead the location, the aircraft acquired and attacked the target twice with bombs.
    “Subsequent Battle Damage Assessment revealed that the aerial attack set off a fire, causing damage to the Boko Haram Terrorists structures within the settlement and neutralizing most of the Boko Haram Terrorists while a few of them fled the location.
    “The aerial attack by the NAF is in furtherance of efforts at ensuring the complete decimation of the Boko Haram Terrorists and breaking their will to continue their terrorist attacks on innocent Nigerians”.
  • NAF deploys fighter jets to Plateau to check violence

    NAF deploys fighter jets to Plateau to check violence

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Thursday said its has deployed its air assets and personnel to Jos, Plateau State, to curtail the spread of violence and maintain peace.

    The Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya said the development was in accordance with the directive of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar in line with the directive issued by President Muhammadu Buhari to the Service Chiefs.

    Adesanya maintained in a statement that the deployment of the air assets would also prevent reprisal attacks and escalation of the crisis.

    The statement reads: “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has deployed some of its air assets and personnel to Jos, the Plateau State capital, to support Operation SAFE HAVEN to maintain peace and curtail senseless killings as well as possible spread of violence in some parts of the State.

    “The deployment was ordered by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, in compliance with the directive of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari, to ensure that an end is put to the current spate of violence and killings in the state.

    Read: Plateau killings: ‘How gunmen rained bullets on us’

    ” The deployment is also to ensure the prevention of reprisal attacks, which could escalate the conflict. The deployed NAF assets include the L-39ZA aircraft and the EC-135 helicopter, which are to provide necessary air cover to the surface forces participating in the Operation in the State.

    “It would be recalled that the NAF has always acted in aid of civil authority, whenever called upon to do so, in line with its statutory role.

    “The NAF, apart from its presence in the North East to fight Boko Haram insurgents, has also deployed its air assets and personnel in recent times to Kafachan in Southern Kaduna and Takum in Taraba State to stop incessant communal clashes.

    ” The NAF remains focused on its primary responsibility of ensuring the security of the citizenry while continuing to count on their support and understanding”.

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