The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NAF

  • NAF commissions cancer screening centre, registry in Kaduna

    As part of its commitment to protect Nigerians, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has commissioned  a cancer screening centre and registry in Kaduna.
    Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar said the health of its officers, men and members of their family is important as the cost of neglecting such is greater.
    The chief of staff who was represented by Air Officer Commanding, Training Command of the NAF, Air Vice Marshal Nurudeen Balogun, said in the past one year and half the NAF has established new hospitals, expanded and upgraded 33 health care facilities.
    As regards the short for in the numbers of medical personal, Balogun said 21 medical officers were  among the newly commissioned Direct Short Service Course 25 that passed out on 16 December 19, 2016.
    He said it became important to establish a cancer screening owing to the high death rate as a result of the silent killer citing that death of most women between ages 15-45 years are cancer related as one in every 25 women stand the risk of developing breast cancer.
    Balogun  said the establishment of screening centers at various hospitals will provide easy access to medical attention to personnel, their dependants and members of the public, thereby assuring early diagnosis and treatment.
    His words : “ health of an individual is one is one of the most essential pre-requisite to carry out his or her duties effectively and efficiently, when an officer or airman is unwell not only that he or she will be unable to do his job properly but his safety and that of the equipment he is working with becomes compromised.  Hence the cost of to the service could be unimaginable if we neglect the health of our personnel and dependants.
    “ It is for this reason that we have in the past one and half years embarked on the general upgrade of our medical facilities which saw the establishment of new hospitals, expansion of the existing ones and provision of modern high-tech equipments to virtually all of our existing 33 health care facilities.
    “We have made significant efforts in addressing the manpower problem in the medical trade through increased enlistment of medical professionals. This is evident as the medical trade had a total of 21 officers amongst the newly commissioned DSSC 25 out on 16 December 2016.
    “ According to the world health Organization (WHO), Breast  and cervical cancers are the most common causes of cancer related death in women between ages 15-45 years. It is estimated that one in every 25 women are at risk of developing breast cancer in her life time, while 1 in every 400 women will develop cervical cancer in her life time. Hence it is important to detect these cancers early through screening in order to prevent untimely death associated with late detection.
    “It is hoped that, establishing these cancer screening centers in our hospitals will provide our personnel ns their families as well as teaming populations around our bases, the opportunity to carry out regular checks in order to detect cancers early enough”. He added
    Chief Medical Officer, Air  Vice Marshal Saleh Shinkafi disclosed that the facility has been equipped with equipment that can cater for different types cancer and treatment at early stage.
    Shinkafi said the center will also provide best of training facilities to all heath care provides both within and outside the NAF.
    He however said the registry will serve as a data base as practiced in other countries, which will aide in research and planning in the health scetor.
    According to Shinkafi :”This centre has been equipped with facilities for screening of cancer of the breast, cervix, prostrate colon and liver among others.
    “The centre will provide excellent training facilities for health care providers outside the NAF.
    “We believe the cancer registry will provide a reliable data base for use in research and planning for public health intervention programmes for cancer in the nation,” he added.

  • NAF rules ok!

    Hardball sure has a few things in common with Africa music legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Hear, hear, you probably sneer, my dear reader but don’t we all love to associate with greatness? But if you knew Fela in his heyday and if you are a regular reader of this small strip, you would no doubt have noticed the glaring similarities in constitution, character and temperament of Fela and Hardball.

    Let’s try a shortlist: Fela was audacious in a rather rambunctious manner. He was supremely confident and self-assured in the pursuit of his convictions. It did not matter to him whether you were a military of civilian president; it did not matter the shade of colour of your uniform and indeed it bothered him not whether you were bearing a machine gun or a horse-whip.

    He loathed injustice and would not only spot it miles away, but would pursue it with the single-mindedness of a train-robber just to win succour for victims. It was his life passion. So also was pulling down all the high, shiny, façade of hubris and of course roiling inept governments too. Remember it was Fela at his brilliant best who described uniform as mere cloth made by mere tailor. He also sang about “Army Arrangement”, “Unknown Soldier” and the inimitable “Zombie,” among numerous other timeless masterpieces.

    Hardball has done some too in his own little way and on this small piece of space. He has taken on presidents both sitting and expired. He has poked his grubby nose into the affairs of all manner of compatriots, especially such affairs that are ribald and injurious to our collective well-being.

    One such is the matter at hand today which concerns men of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF). Last Sunday, a detachment of NAF at the airport in Lagos behaved in a manner we know too well. They forgot that as the great Fela said long ago, uniform na cloth made by tailors; and Hardball can add that guns are toys just any man can carry.

    Why are we saying this? A group of NAF men (described as officers, but Hardball doubt that officers would be in such a duty post) had pounced on one Muhammed Shuaibu, said to be a protocol officer of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and beat him to a pulp. If the NAF authority had remained mute and unknowing, Hardball would have forgiven them for honestly being mute and unknowing. But in an official response to the victim’s cry for justice, NAF spokesman, described as Command Public Relations Officer, Logistics Command, NAF, named Joel Abioye, told us that Shuaib was beaten (not to a coma though as he pretends) by his men for “breaking the rule” and seeking to use his position to outsmart his men.

    Dear reader, be informed that this bloody turf war happened right in front of the departure area of our international airport. A dozen and one questions beg for answer. One, what are armed Air Force officers doing around the airport directing traffic? Two, why is our idea of security always about persons in uniform bearing arms? Three, is this how other countries secure their airports? Four, are NAF officers trained to brutalise fellow citizens who break their “rule”?

    Let’s just say NAF rules ok at the airport!

     

  • Air Force redeploys 67 senior officers

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Friday said it had redeployed 67 senior officers, comprising 30 Air Vice Marshals (AVMs), 17 Air Commodores,10 Group Captains, seven Wing Commodores and three Squadron  Leaders.

    A statement signed by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Group Capt. Ayodele Famuyiwa, in Abuja, said the redeployment came on the heels of the decoration of senior officers recently promoted to the ranks of AVMs and Air Commodores.

    The statement said Prominent among those affected by the new posting at the NAF Headquarters, Abuja are – AVM Muhammadu Muhammed, newly-appointed as the Air Secretary.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that AVM Saleh Shinkafi was appointed the pioneer Chief of Medical Services, AVM Mohammad Muhammad appointed the Chief of Administration and, AVM Sambo Usman appointed the Chief of Logistics and Communication.

    “The new posting also brought about leadership changes at the Command level, with three of the former Air Officers Commanding (AOCs) redeployed while two new ones have been appointed.

    “Those redeployed include: AVM Nurudeen Balogun moved from Training Command, Kaduna, to Tactical Air Command, Makurdi; AVM Christopher Okoye from Special Operations Command Bauchi to Training Command Kaduna and,

    “AVM Sani Ahmed from Logistics Command Ikeja to Special Operations Command, Bauchi. The two newly-appointed AOCs are AVM Stephen Onuh Mobility Command, Yenagoa and AVM Ibrahim Yahaya, Logistics Command, Ikeja,” the statement added.

     

  • NAF destroys illegal oil barges in Rivers

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has destroyed another set of illegal oil barges in River State.

    A statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, said one of the barges, which was filled with stolen oil, was set ablaze by NAF helicopters on armed patrol around Okoromabie and Southeast of Port Harcourt refinery.

    The statement said the third barge, which was surrounded by canoes conveying drums, was sited at Onne.

    It said the third barge did not catch fire when the NAF helicopter fired at it.

    “While individuals around the barge and canoes fled when fired at, the barge and drums did not explode, indicating the possibility of being empty,” the statement said.

  • NAF launches ‘Operation Forest Storm’ against insurgency

    NAF launches ‘Operation Forest Storm’ against insurgency

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) yesterday launched ‘Operation Forest Storm’ against the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast.

    The new operation is to eliminate the inflow of Boko Haram insurgents from the northern part of Borno to the South.

    Addressing reporters at the NAF base in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, Chief of Training and Operations, Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Abdullahi Iya, said the special operation would last for about seven days.

    He said air surveillance conducted over the entire theatre of operations in the Northeast showed some insurgents in the southern part of the Area of Operation and so Forest Storm is specifically designed to take care of them.

    Iya said: “As part of our campaign against insurgency in the Northeast, we have been focusing more on the north. Nevertheless, we conducted surveillance all over the theatre of operations and we noticed some insurgents in the south, which is why we launched a special operation to take care of that.

    “The operation is code named ‘Operation Forest Storm’ and it is just for a few days. We are focusing mainly on interdiction; we have identified a specific target to take out through interdiction. From our calculations it will not take more than three days, but we are planning for seven days to take care of what we have seen.”

    Iya added that since the campaign began, security has improved in the Northeast and the military operations have been able to degrade the ranks of the insurgents.

    “We know things have improved from the nature of attacks, you no longer see them attacking in large convoys as most of them use motorcycles now.”

    He stressed that civilians have nothing to fear about the operation as the Air Force will ensure there is no collateral damage.

    “We have conducted surveillance, selected our targets and analysed well before we decided on the attack, the mode and the type of weapon to use. All these are carefully planned and we do not forsee any collateral damage so there is no cause for alarm,” Iya said.

  • NAF destroys illegal refineries in Rivers

    NAF destroys illegal refineries in Rivers

    Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Helicopters on Monday destroyed several illegal refineries and barges filled with petroleum products in Rivers State.
    The operation which is part of Operation Delta Safe was a concerted effort to stop illegal bunkering and criminal activities in the Niger Delta.
    The refineries and barges were sighted by NAF Diamond 42 aircraft on Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission in Bille Community of Rivers State.
    Thereafter, an Mi-24V helicopter gun ship was called-in for attack.
    Director Of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Group Captain Ayodele FamUyiwa said a similar operation was carried out in the same location two days ago.
    “These are clear signals to criminals operating in the South-South region, as well as other parts of the country, that it is no longer business as usual,”he said.

  • ‘Buhari happy with NAF personnel fighting Boko Haram’

    The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has told the Nigerian Air Force personnel involved in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast that President Muhammadu Buhari is very happy and appreciates their efforts.

    Abubakar said this during an Eid El Kabir celebration lunch with Air Force troops at Yola Air Force Base on Tuesday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    The NAF chief was represented by Chief of Policy and Plans, NAF headquarters, AVM James Abubakar.

    Abubakar said Buhari was full of appreciation for the troops and urged them to sustain the efforts toward bringing peace to the Northeast and Nigeria.

    “The good work you are doing is appreciated by the commander-in-chief, he is sending his greetings to you at this festive time,” NAN quoted Air Marshal Abubakar as saying the troops.

    “He commended your efforts and urged you to sustain your commitment to peace in the Northeast and Nigeria as a whole.

    “We also want to use this opportunity to thank the commander-in-chief for his support to the Nigerian Air Force,’’ Abubakar said.

    He said NAF was also happy with the troops’ performance and would continue to ensure their welfare and those of their families.

     

  • How we will respond to airport terrorism- NAF

    How we will respond to airport terrorism- NAF

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Wednesday conducted a counter-terrorism simulation exercise involving the insertion and extraction of Special Forces operating in conjunction with other organic security agencies and organisations to retake the airport from terrorists and ensure normalcy of operations.

     

    The exercise  which was code-named “Steel Dome “ which means Fortified Arena  was conducted by the men of the Air Force Regiment- a special force operations team made up of commandos and other specially trained officers deployed for counter terrorism operations.

     

    The Air Force Regiment was founded after the breach of the Air Force base in Maiduguri, Borno state on December 2, 2013 by Boko Haram insurgents. Since then, the Regiment has deployed Special Forces personnel throughout the country.

     

    The Airport counter terrorism simulation according to Air Force Director of Public Information, Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, is to answer the question: “When you have a terrorist situation in your airport, what do you do?”  Steel Dome was to show what the NAF will do.

     

    The exercise began with a briefing by Air Commodore Olusesan Idowu, the Director, Regiment Headquarters of the NAF in a small room at the northern corner of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja.

     

    The briefing highlighted the objectives of the exercise which include: Practice individual/group skills in the planning, coordination and execution of counter –terrorist operations; understand the requirements and challenges involved in the coordination and conduct counter terrorist operations in concert with other security agencies; derive lessons that will guide Directorate of  Regiment in drawing up a doctrine and planning guide for the conduct of airport counter- terrorist operations and reaffirm  the NAF commitment to support civil authority in times of national emergencies.

     

    But the planning of the response to terrorism belongs to the Commander Quick Response Force Minna, Air Commodore Mishelia who in a business-like manner informed the gathering that a group of terrorists have taken some passengers hostage at the departure lounge of the airport.

     

    The Hostages and the terrorists

    About 40 members of the Special Forces were involved in the rescue operations of the passengers.  The departure terminal was cordoned off and troops positioned strategically before the entrance of the terminal, every angle leading to the terminal was covered by different personnel of the Special Force.

     

    Inside the terminal, troops were positioned to cover every available exit space, everywhere one turns, there is a soldier armed, fierce and ready. Behind the counters, air conditioners and desks, mean looking soldiers were ready with their guns. But airport activities went unabated, with some passengers expressing shock at the presence of the troops.

     

    Intermittently, the announcer would inform that the NAF was conducting a counter terrorism response simulation and all passengers were to continue their business.

     

    But such admonition was hardly heeded.

     

    At 9:30 am, a Super Puma helicopter of the NAF usually deployed for insertion and extraction of troops in emergency situation appeared in the sky above the airport terminal.

     

    Its arrival was heralded by a loud noise; troops on the ground gave the aircraft covering fire as the Special Forces began to descend using a rope into the airport.

     

    In all, eight soldiers descended directly into the terminal space. It will be their duty to surprise the terrorists who are holding the passengers hostage in the departure area.

    Terrorists holding passengers hostage
    Terrorists holding passengers hostage

     

    The rescue

    At the departure ticketing area, passengers huddled together in awe of the spectacular scenario playing out.  There was a soldier at every turn and corner. Air Force evaluators wearing pink jackets carefully followed the process, checking every detail and making notes in big logbooks.  Upstairs at the departure lounge, a serious, almost real time situation was playing out.

     

    Six terrorists all armed with rifles, covering their faces with masks have detained 12 male passengers. The hostages were made to lie down on the floor in the middle of the lounge while the terrorists torture them.  Slaps, kicks and punches were rained on the captives, bags were kicked in fury and the terrorists ensured the captives were reduced to fear.

     

    “Do you want to fight?” a terrorist asked one terrified passenger. Instead of a response, the man simply said he was tired and would never visit this country again. Another hostage lamented his ill-fated travel with a vow never to return if he could just get out alive.  A terrorist gave him a slap, he fell to the floor and a kick in the groin sent him face flat. He did not move for a long time. None of the actors in this terrible drama smiled, none of them betrayed any emotion.

     

    It was not clear what the terrorists were waiting for, it was not certain if a line of communication had been established with a government negotiator, it was also not clear if the terrorists had made any demands.

    What happened next was a scene out of an action packed movie.  A shot rang out suddenly followed by five others in quick succession.

     

    Four soldiers burst into the lounge; their forceful entry in a blaze of unending bullets sent the terrorists scampering for cover. A shot hit a terrorist; he fell, his rifle hitting the ground first.

     

    “Alpha 1 to Alpha 2, evacuate terrorists and hostages over,” one could hear over the radio. The hostages were on their faces, there was a lot of scream and shouts of “I don’t want to die” as the Special Forces tried to reassure them.

     

    The communication between the Special Forces was effective but the terrorists would not go down easily. Shots were heard, Alpha one called for back-up. Some of the Special Forces who were earlier inserted through the chopper came in from the staircase, a search was made and one terrorist was found, crouching behind a chair, he was disarmed and arrested. In all four of the terrorists were arrested while two died.

     

    One soldier was also wounded, his colleagues gathered around to help him. The lounge was evacuated. The whole operation had taken five minutes, six seconds before the Police anti-bomb squad arrived to check if there were any bombs left by the terrorists.

  • Video: Air Force blast Boko Haram camp

    Video: Air Force blast Boko Haram camp

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Director of Public Information, Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, intelligence report has indicated that Several Boko Haram Commanders who were wounded in a similar attack on the night of August 20, 2016, over 300, were believed to have been receiving treatment at the camp when the attack occurred.

    Famuyiwa said the latest strike followed the trail of the intelligence, with the aim of neutralizing the suspected leaders of the sect who are high value targets.

    See video below:

  • NAF destroys new Boko Haram camp, repel attack on troops

    NAF destroys new Boko Haram camp, repel attack on troops

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Tuesday destroyed a new camp being operated by the Boko Haram sect between Malam Fatori and Kangarwa in northern Borno State.

    The attack which was conducted overnight followed an intelligence report that survivors of a similar NAF Mi-17 helicopter attack on August 20 had converged at the new location.

    According to the Director, NAF Public Relations and Information, Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, the post-strike Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) mission also revealed that surviving Boko Haram insurgents converged at the new location.

    This was followed up by series of follow-up Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions that led to the latest strike.

    Famuyiwa said: “The air assault is expected to further degrade the capability of the insurgents while fostering the creation of the necessary enablement for own ground troops to operate.”

    In another operation, NAF Alpha Jets have helped to repel an attack by Boko Haram terrorists on troops of 153 Battalion who were on fighting patrol at Ala Lumshe.

    The troops had come under attack from the insurgents about 4km south of Marte when the Alpha Jets were called-in to dislodge the insurgents.

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