The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian Air Force (NAF)

  • Air Force repels bandit attacks in Zamfara

    The Nigerian Air Force on Monday said five bandits have been neutralized by its special forces team when they attempted to invade some villages in Gusau local government area of Zamfara state.

    The Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said in a statement some of the bandits escaped with gunshot wounds after the encounter.

    He said two women and a child were among kidnapped victims rescued from the bandits.

    Air Commodore Daramola said: “A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Special Forces (SF) Team operating in Zamfara State has successfully repelled attacks by armed bandits who attempted to invade Hayin Mahe and Hayin Kanawa Villages in Gusau Local Government Area.

    “The operation, which took place on 31st March 2019, was conducted sequel to intelligence reports indicating that the bandits, who operate from Sububu and Kagara Forests, had attacked the villages and kidnapped some of its inhabitants.

    Read Also: Air Force strikes Boko Haram in Lake Chad

    “The timely response of the SF Team resulted in a gun duel with the bandits who eventually fled into the forest. The gallant NAF SF personnel pursued the bandits into the forest, overpowering them and neutralizing 5 bandits, while many others were observed to have run away with various gunshot wounds.

    “Three AK-47 rifles with magazines were recovered in the process. Some villagers, who were kidnapped by the fleeing bandits, including 2 women and a child, were freed and handed over to the District Head of Mada Town.

    “In a follow-up operation, the NAF SF Team returned to the communities to prevent reprisal attacks by the criminals as well as reassure the populace of their safety.

    “The Team, supported by a NAF Alpha Jet and attack helicopters, tracked the fleeing armed bandits to their hideouts within Sububu Forest.

    “The Alpha Jet successfully attacked the armed bandits’ camps while the helicopters scanned the environs for fleeing elements. The local populace was seen expressing confidence by cheering at the helicopters overhead their communities.

    “The NAF, working in close coordination with sister Services and other security agencies, will sustain its operations to neutralize the armed bandits and deny them freedom of action in the area.”

  • Flogging of suspected bandits unacceptable – NAF

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has condemned the reported flogging and physical assault of suspected bandits by some military personnel in Zamfara, as totally unacceptable.

    NAF’s  spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, condemned the action in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    ” The attention of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been drawn to a video and some pictures circulating on some social media and online platforms showing some military personnel flogging suspected armed bandits at Shinkafi Local Government Area (LGA) in Zamfara State.

    ” The NAF has discovered that some of its personnel were part of the joint team stationed at the Galadi Sub-Sector at the time.

    ” The NAF wishes to state unequivocally that the troops’ actions of flogging and physically assaulting the disarmed suspects were totally unacceptable and not in consonance with the Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) guiding the conduct of the operation.

    ” Our personnel have always been directed to respect the rights of innocent civilians as well as captured combatants, no matter the provocation.

    ” The joint team had, sequel to intelligence reports, intercepted a group of suspected armed bandits, including some fighters from across the border, at their Sububu Forest hideout whilst they were on the verge of executing an attack against innocent civilians in Shinkafi.

    ” In the process, the team recovered one AK-47 rifle along with 3 loaded magazines and 3 dane guns from the bandits.

    Read also: Senate committee advocates more funding for NAF

    ” In an effort to obtain further information on the criminals’ plans and the location of their armoury, the troops employed unauthorized, crude corporal methods.

    ” The public is to please note that the NAF has zero tolerance for such human rights violations and has since initiated appropriate action to address the anomaly.

    ” In this regard, a Board of Inquiry (BOI) has been set up by the Headquarters Special Operations Command (HQ SOC) to determine the remote and immediate causes of the incident with a view to ensuring that appropriate disciplinary action is taken against all NAF personnel found culpable.”

    The spokesman said the public would be kept informed on the outcome of the investigations.

    He said the NAF, as an organisation, remained a professional fighting force that would continue to operate within the ambits of all relevant laws and procedures.

    Daramola said the NAF would also continue to operate in line with international best practices, while remaining fully accountable to the Nigerian people.(NAN)

  • Air Force nabs 10 suspected thugs

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has arrested and paraded 10 suspected thugs and bandits.

    This followed a directive from the Defence Headquarters to the armed forces to carry out Operation SAFE CONDUCT to ensure a peaceful and conducive atmosphere during the general election.

    Parading the suspects and items recovered from them at the Air Force Training Command (ATC) yesterday, the Commander, 453 Base Services Group NAF Kaduna, Air Commodore Idi Sani, said: “In the course of performing its duties, a patrol team from the Command Base Services Group, NAF Kaduna, at about 2:45am on February 16 intercepted seven suspected thugs/bandits armed with dangerous weapons around the Hajj Camp, Mando.”

    The suspects were identified as Abdullahi Adam, Halilu Rilwan, Lawal Hassan, Idris Yusuf, Kabir Muhammed, Badamasi Alhassan and Idris Abukabar.

    Items recovered from them include eight Dane guns, three cutlasses and Volkswagen Golf 3 car without number plate.

    Sani said: “In a related development, around NECO junction, Mando on February 16, at about 2:30am, Mr. Abdulrauf Yusuf, aka Gorilla Fighter, was arrested in company of Mr. Muhammad Bello in a Volkswagen Golf 3 car with registration number EG 181 ABS ABUJA.

    “Another suspect, Mr. Shehu Yahaya, was arrested at Amana Kasuwa on February 15 at about 11:45pm with five machetes and a knife.

    “On February 2, the NAF Special Operations Team tasked with dealing with kidnapping, cattle rustling and armed banditry, intercepted a group of cattle rustlers at Riyawa Forest.”

    He said the rustlers fled the scene, abandoning 44 cows and 13 rams, adding that the suspects and items recovered had been handed over to the police.

     

  • Air Force holds route march ahead general elections

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Saturday in Lagos assured residents of its commitment to secure the nation as well as ensure security of lives and property during and after the general elections.

    The Air Officer Commanding, NAF Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal Abdulganiyu Adebisi, gave the assurance during the route march organised for its officers and men at the Sam Ethnam Base in Ikeja.

    “The essence of the exercise is not to win prize but to foster espirit de corps and physical fitness of individuals through active participation in exercise of this nature.

    “It is important that we remain both physically and mentally fit to carry out our responsibilities as the defenders of our nation’s territorial integrity and encourage the spirit of sportsmanship in our personnel.

    “Let me use this medium to re-emphasise that you must all be of good conduct in the forthcoming general elections if you go out to vote.

    Read Also: Air Force strikes Boko Haram in Borno

    “Don’t be found wanting of any act that constitutes a breach of electoral law as you exercise your franchise,” he said.

    Adebisi further urged the personnel to carry out their duties as directed and remain good ambassadors of NAF.

    On the election, Adebisi said the command would work in synergy with other security agencies within the state to ensure free, fair and credible elections.

    “Lagosisans should rest assured that there will be adequate security coverage for people to go out and cast their vote in a peaceful and calm environment,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that over 200 officers, Air Men and Women, participated in the exercise which saw them march through the base to the Murtala Muhammed Airport axis and back to the base.

    NAN

  • Air Force strikes Boko Haram in Borno

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said on Saturday that scores of Boko Haram insurgents have been neutralized in their hideouts in northern Borno.

    The spokesman of the Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said in a statement that air strikes were conducted against the insurgents following credible intelligence reports establishing their presence in the area.

    Air Commodore Daramola said :”The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has destroyed a terrorists’ hideout and neutralized some terrorists at Kaicungul, a settlement about 100Km Northwest of Monguno, in Northern Borno State.

    Read Also: Air Force strikes terrorists in Damasak

    “The operation was conducted Saturday, 25 January 2019, on the heels of credible intelligence indicating that the village was being used as a staging area from where the terrorists assemble to launch attacks against own troops’ locations.

    “The ATF therefore detailed an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform for confirmatory surveillance of the location, which observed significant terrorists’ activities in the settlement.

    “Accordingly, 2 Alpha Jet aircraft were scrambled to attack the hideout. The 2 aircraft took turns in attacking the location, recording successful hits on the target leading to the destruction of some of the structures as well as the neutralization some terrorists. “

  • ‘Nigeria’s security challenges are surmountable’

    The Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command, Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Air Vice Marshall (AVM) Napoleon Bali, has stated that Nigeria’s security challenges are surmountable.

    He also insisted that a peaceful country is needed, in order to witness progress and development in Nigeria.

    AVM Bali, who was the special guest of honour, stated these at the Naval College, Onne, in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State in the Niger Delta.

    The colourful event was the ceremonial sunset and awards’ night in honour of the passing out 141 cadets of the Direct Short Service Course 25, who will be passing out today (Saturday) and will be commissioned into the service of the Nigerian Navy as Sub-Lieutenants and Lt.-Commanders, including medical consultants.

    The air officer commanding said: “Thank you for giving me the opportunity. Most likely I would have left the air force without knowing that there is something like this (ceremonial sunset). You have given me something in this neat college that I will discuss with my colleagues, both in the air force and in the army. When we did it in the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), maybe because I was a cadet, it was not as interesting as this.

    Read Also: Security award for monarch

    “The Nigerian Navy is very regimental. Keep it up, because that is the only thing that can make us to be very disciplined.

    For the passing out cadets, I implore you, because you know what is happening in the country right now, we have so many security challenges, use this opportunity and the training you are given here to add value to what we, your superiors, have been doing.

    “Do not think you know it all. It is possible that one or two of you may be the ones to bring out the desired strategies. At the end of it all, let us have a peaceful country. So that we can develop our country, where everybody can go about their normal businesses. I implore you all to take it seriously. Maintain the regimentation. The military is a large family, very enjoyable and sociable, but you must always behave yourselves.”

    The Commandant of Naval College, Onne, Commodore Akinga Ayafa, in his welcome address, described the ceremonial sunset as an old-time tradition that is peculiar to navies all over the world.

    Ayafa said: The Naval College, Onne is adding value to the military, especially through intensive training of fresh graduates and others. We are preparing them for the daunting challenges ahead. Nigeria is passing through a lot of security challenges. We look at the contemporary situations and tailor our training towards ensuring that whoever we bring in will help to improve and add value to the system.

    “The training in this college lays a very solid foundation, upon which we expect them to build a solid career in the service of their fatherland, through the Nigerian Navy.

    “The cadets and others being trained in Naval College, Onne are very competent. Service in the Nigerian Navy is full of a wealth of experience. They learn on a daily basis. We have laid a very solid foundation for all of them.”

    The commandant also urged the cadets and others to always be good ambassadors of Naval College, Onne, while assuring that emphasis would always be placed on qualitative training, discipline and hard work.

  • We will end Boko Haram activities, Says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday assured that his administration is committed to bringing an end to Boko Haram activities in the northeast and further make all parts of the country safe for Nigerians to live peacefully with one another.

    President Buhari noted that the vision of his administration was anchored on building a stable and prosperous Nigeria that would be the pride of future generations, but added, that the vision cannot be achieved without peace, stability and security.

    The President made the remarks while declaring open the maiden edition of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) International Air Power Seminar holding at NAF Conference Centre, Kado, Abuja.

    The Seminar with the theme “Air Power in Irregular war: A Framework for Understanding and Responding” was being attending by Air Force Chiefs from the United Kingdom, France, Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, and South Africa among other countries.

    President Buhari said while there has been steady improvements in the security situation in the northeast, it is also important for the nation’s armed forces, particularly the Air Force to draw from the experiences of other armed force to defeat terrorism and insurgency in the country.

    Said he: “It is important to stress that there has been steady improvement in the security situation in the North East where the Boko Haram activities have been confined in recent times. We have denied them the ability to hold territory and the freedom of movement to operate at will and they now resort to skeletal attacks on soft targets.

    “Our thougths and prayers are always with the victims and families of the Boko Haram atrocities. We remain committed to ensuring that the crisis comes to an end, while making the North East and indeed all parts of Nigeria safe for all to live and prosper.

    Read Also: Troops kill two Boko Haram commanders

    ” Let me, as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces once again assure the military that I will continue to ensure appropriate funding for our armed forces in order to enhance capacity building and deepen professionalism.”

    President Buhari described the theme of the Seminar as timely, noting that since the outbreak of the Boko Haram crisis in the northeast, the nation’s armed forces have been engaged in various operations that have challenged services’ doctrines, tactics, training, order of battle and force protection architecture.

    He said “Even though we require substantial military input in combating an insurgency, its root cause is inherently political in nature”.

    President Buhari told the gathering among whom were the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas and Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris as well as the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan Ali that “Successful counter-insurgency operations would therefore require unity of efforts across multiple Ministries, Departments and Agencies covering political, economic, law enforcement, intelligence and of course the military, in what is popularly called whole of the nation approach.

    “In this regard, we have mobilized relevant agencies and international organisations to support the counter-insurgency effort in order to ensure success”.

    The President commended the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar for initiating the seminar, saying the nation’s air force had over the years contributed immensely to ensure peace and security of the country.

    The President further said: “Our vision is to build a stable and prosperous Nigeria that would be the pride of future generations. It is however pertinent to note that this cannot be accomplished without peace, stability and security.

    ” Peace and stability can only be achieved if we are committed to emplacing reforms that will entrench true democracy in our polity. In the same vein reforms would be required to enable us build a virile economy that can support our aspirations

    “This administration is therefore committed to diversifying our economy. We have been partnering with other stronger economies to attract the much need Foreign Direct Investment. We are also looking at alternate means of generating electricity to power our industries and meet domestic demand.

    “I assure you all that a lot has been achieved in this regard and we are putting in more effort in order to achieve more. This is to ensure that we build an economically prosperous, politically stable, socially just and truly democratic Nigeria, where security of lives and property is guaranteed. “

  • Air Force strikes Boko Haram base in Borno

    The Nigerian Air Force said on Thursday that it has launched air strikes against Boko Haram terrorists’ base and facilities in the northern part of Borno.

    It said the strikes resulted in the death of the insurgents who had gathered to attack Nigerian troops.

    According to a statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and information of the NAF, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, the attacks destroyed the terrorists’ logistic base and their vehicles at Tumbun Sale, a village in northern part of Borno State.

    Air Commodore  Daramola said :”The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has destroyed a Boko Haram Terrorist (BHT) logistics base, along with some vehicles, at Tumbun Sale in Northern Borno State.

    “The operation was conducted on 23 October 2018 after Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions revealed the presence of some BHT vehicles and several fighters camouflaged under thick vegetation within the area, where the BHTs had converged in order to launch attacks against own troops’ positions.

    Read Also: Boko Haram sacks two communities in Borno

    “Accordingly, the ATF scrambled 2 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet aircraft, supported by an ISR platform, to attack the target area in multiple waves.

    ” The first wave of attacks recorded direct hits on a suspected BHT ammunition/fuel dump, sending it up in flames.

    “Subsequent strikes also resulted in the destruction of some vehicles and neutralization of several BHTs. The few surviving BHTs, that were seen fleeing the area, were mopped-up in follow-on attacks.

    “The NAF, working in concert with surface forces, will sustain the tempo of operations with a view to destroying all remnants of the terrorists on the fringes of Lake Chad and other areas in Northern Borno. “

  • NAF trains Provosts on crime investigation 30 years after

    Inaugurates forensic laboratory, provost group

     

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Monday said it had trained 16 Provost personnel on core crime investigative skills and others in crime scene investigation.

    These trainings, according to the Chief of the Air Staff  (CAS) Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar were last conducted 30-years-ago.

    Abubakar spoke in Lagos at the inauguration of the NAF’s remodelled Forensic Crime Laboratory and the new 057 Provost Investigation Group.

    According to him, the accuracy in the collection, review and analysis of evidence by law enforcement agencies and the ability of the court to fairly judge the strength of evidence was the bedrock of criminal justice administration.

    He said after a gap analysis of the structure of the NAF, it had become obvious the new expanded NAF Force Structure required a law enforcement arm with the capacity to effectively employ scientific approaches in all facets of its critical competencies.

    “Already, in conjunction with foreign partners from the United Kingdom, we have trained 16 Provost personnel in the Core Investigative Skills and Interview course.

    “Another set of 16 personnel will in four days’ time be concluding the Crime Scene Investigation Course here in 057 Provost Investigation Group.

    “In another development, the investigative capacity of the provost would be enhanced through the training of 10 Provost Officers in Advanced Detective Course at the Police Staff College, Jos, within the last quarter of the year.

    “Akin to the development of investigative and forensic skills, the NAF is also at an advanced stage of expanding and enhancing its utilisation of Military Working Dogs to boost the physical security of NAF critical mission essential areas.

    “This growth is equally projected to create the capacity for the Air Provost to be integrated in the conduct of Combat Search and Rescue operations in the Service.

    Read Also: NAF destroys Boko Haram vehicles

    “In the same vein, 140 Air Provost personnel will commence the Force Protection in Complex Air Ground Environment training, in conjunction with the British Military Advisory Training Team (B-MAT).

    “Furthermore, the rejuvenation of the Air Provost’s Explosive Ordnance Detection capability is projected to commence by the end of this year,” he said.

    Abubakar said the NAF’s recent push to make inroads in the development of the capacity and capability of the Air Provost was premised on the need to have a proactive police force that would nip threats in the bud.

    He said: “This would also provide the enabling environment for NAF personnel to freely discharge their duties in furtherance of the Service’s constitutional responsibilities,” he said.

    Inaugurating the facility, the Inspector General of Police (IG) Ibrahim Idris said without the objective evidence obtained through scientific analysis, many crime cases would have gone unsolved and the perpetrators unpunished.

    He said: “Forensic science is an integral part of the criminal justice system. It is vital in aiding the investigation of a crime and detection of criminals, as well as proving the innocence of people suspected of crimes that they did not commit.

    “It is thus, a veritable tool for not only detection and prosecution, but also deterrence.”

    The IG said that evidence was the cornerstone in modern police investigation, adding that witnesses could fall, be misunderstood, be influenced or contaminated.

    “This effort by the Chief of the Air Staff in providing a befitting and functional environment and making inroads in the application of forensics in policing is laudable.

    “It is a testimony of the Nigerian Air Force leadership’s commitment to push the boundaries and improve on the methodologies and technological platforms to detect and analyze evidence of crime in the service,” he said.

    Commander Air Provost Investigation Group, Group Captain Garba Bello said the provision of the facilities would enhance the capacity of the NAF provost personnel in carrying out their duties, especially in the area of criminal investigations.

    “These would significantly assist Air Provost Investigators in obtaining credible evidence for successful prosecution of cases in a court of law while at the same time adding to the country’s crime fighting resources,” he said.

     

  • Air Force Bombs Boko Haram locations in Lake Chad, Damasak

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Friday said more air attacks are being carried out against Boko Haram Terrorists in the fringes of Lake Chad and at Damasak in support of ground troops leading to the death of scores of the insurgents.

    The Director of Public Relations and Information of NAF, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola explained in a statement that the air interdictions were conducted through the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole and Operation Thunder Strike II.

    Read Also:NAF neutralises Boko Haram vehicle, fighters in Borno

    He also said Boko Haram facilities and their vehicles were destroyed in raids conducted at Tumbun on the fringes of Lake Chad and at Damasak in northern part of Borno state.

    Air Commodore Daramola said: “As Operation THUNDER STRIKE 2 entered the tenth day, Friday, 12 September 2018, the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has recorded significant successes against Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) in air raids conducted at Tumbun Rego on the fringes of Lake Chad in Borno State.

    “The attacks were conducted in successive waves, involving Nigerian Air Force (NAF) F-7Ni and Alpha Jet combat aircraft as well as Mi-35M Helicopter Gunships supported by Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms, resulting in the destruction of a BHT vehicle and neutralization of scores of insurgents.

    “Characteristic of the insurgents’ tactics, the BHT fighters were initially well camouflaged under foliage and inside abandoned buildings within the settlement. However, timely intelligence enabled the ISR platforms to track and locate one of the BHT vehicles as it was entering the settlement. The vehicle was engaged and destroyed by the attack aircraft.

    “Subsequent waves of attack targeted the scores of insurgents that emerged from their hiding places after the attack on the vehicle. These were engaged in turns by the attack aircraft and neutralized.

    “In another development, the ATF conducted several ISR and Close Air Support missions throughout the night of 12 and early morning of 13 September 2018 in support of troops of the 145 Nigerian Army Battalion, ensuring that the BHTs’ attack at Damasak was thwarted.

    “Meanwhile, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, was in Maiduguri today, 13 September 2018, to again assess progress of the operation as well as boost the morale of the frontline troops.

    “He seized the opportunity to commend the Command and personnel of the ATF for their efforts while urging them to sustain the momentum of operations with a view to locating and destroying all remnants of the insurgents within the fringes of Lake Chad and other areas in Northern Borno”.