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Tag: Nigerian Air Force (NAF)

  • Air Force kills several bandits in Zamfara forests

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said on Tuesday that several armed bandits have been killed through air strikes in the forests of Zamfara state following intelligence reports on the locations of the bandits.

    According to the Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, the Air Task Force of Operation Diran Mikiya carried out the attacks against the bandits in Bayan Ruwa and Rugu Forests in the eastern axis Zamfara state.

    Read Also:Soldiers to rebuild public infrastructure destroyed by bandits in Zamfara

    Air Commodore Daramola in a statement further revealed that the bandits’ warehouses and make shift structures in Rugu Forests were destroyed during the operation which was conducted with the support of ground troops.

    Air Commodore Daramola said : “In continuation of operations to flush armed bandits out of the Northwestern part of the country, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Air Task Force (ATF) for Operation DIRAN MIKIYA has, between 25 and 27 August 2018, successfully neutralized several armed bandits at BAYAN RUWA and RUGU FOREST in the Eastern part of Zamfara State.

    “The attack on BAYAN RUWA was executed following an encounter with a notorious group of armed bandits by own ground forces whilst conducting clearance operations on 25 August 2018. The troops called for close air support and the ATF dispatched a ground attack aircraft as well as an attack helicopter to the location.

    “The aircraft supported the ground forces of Sector 3 to inflict maximum damage on the criminal elements.

    “On 26 August 2018, an attack helicopter on armed reconnaissance around same location sighted makeshift structures within a forested area suspected to be a new hideout being developed by the bandits that survived the attack of the previous day.

    “The helicopter subsequently engaged the location. Some of the bandits, who were seen attempting to flee the location, were mopped up by subsequent follow-on attacks.

    “Similarly, armed reconnaissance missions conducted on 26 and 27 August 2018, revealed the presence of some armed bandits at a settlement East of HAYIN ALHAJI as well as some warehouse-like structures deep inside RUGU FOREST that were being used as hideouts by the bandits. Several armed bandits and a considerable number of rustled cattle were seen around one of the makeshift warehouses.

    “Accordingly, the warehouses and the criminals operating there were attacked by the combat helicopters leading to the destruction of the makeshift buildings and neutralization of several armed bandits.

    “The ATF will continue to dominate the area through armed reconnaissance and air interdiction missions to completely decimate the armed bandits in order to ensure a return to normalcy in Zamfara and other States in the North West. All persons involved in armed banditry in the area are therefore advised to renounce violence, surrender to security agencies and hand over their weapons.”

  • Air Force bombs bandits in Zamfara, scores killed

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Friday said scores of armed bandits have been killed through air strikes near Mashema Village and at another location 4km southeast of Yanmari, all in Zamfara state.

    The new Air Force Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said in a statement that air raids were carried out on the locations of the bandits with NAF Alpha Jet aircraft and the support of ground troops resulting in the deaths of several of them.

    Read Also:Buhari deploys fighter jets after Zamfara bandits

    Air Commodore Daramola said: “OPERATION DIRAN MIKIYA has recorded some early successes, as Nigerian Air Force (NAF) combat aircraft neutralized several armed bandits during air attacks near Mashema Village and at another location 4km Southeast of Yanmari, both in Zamfara State.

    “On 1 August 2018, ground troops, while on clearance operations near Mashema, came in contact with a group of armed bandits at a location West of Mashema Village and therefore requested for air support. Accordingly, a NAF Alpha Jet aircraft from Katsina and an Mi-35M from Gusau were scrambled.

    “In close coordination with troops on the ground, the combat aircraft engaged the bandits’ location with rockets and cannons neutralizing several of them and causing a few survivors to scamper in different directions.   The 2 aircraft subsequently pursued the fleeing bandits and thereafter neutralized them in follow-up attacks.

    “Similarly, while on armed reconnaissance on 2 August 2018, a NAF combat helicopter located over twenty armed bandits dressed in black attire with stolen cattle in their custody, in an open field near Yankari and Hayin Alhaji villages.

    “The bandits, a few of whom were mounted on motorcycles, began to disperse on hearing the sound of the helicopter but were engaged by the helicopters’ machine guns. Several armed bandits were neutralized in the air attack while a few survivors, seen fleeing the location, were taken out in subsequent follow-up attacks.

    “It will be recalled that OPERATION DIRAN MIKIYA, which commenced on 31 July 2018, is an intensive air operation aimed at locating and neutralizing armed bandits and other criminal elements in the Northwest with a view to restoring normalcy in the affected areas.

    “The Operation will be sustained, in coordination with sister Services and other security agencies, to stop killings, cattle rustling and other criminal activities. Accordingly, the NAF continues to solicit credible intelligence from locals, traditional rulers, local government chairmen and other government functionaries to facilitate the success of the operation”.

  • Air Force arrests 16 armed bandits in Gusau

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said on Thursday that its 207 Quick Response Group in Gusau, Zamfara state, has arrested 16 armed bandits through the on-going Operation Sharan Daji being coordinated by the Defence Headquarters.

    The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, who disclosed this in a statement also added that the Air Force has deployed more air assets to Zamfara to support the on-going operation.

    According to AVM Adesanya, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar announced the deployment of more air assets to Gusau after being briefed on his visit to the unit by the out-going Commander of the unit, Group Captain Caleb Olayera.

    The statement reads: “The 207 Quick Response Group (QRG) of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in Gusau disclosed yesterday, 25 July 2018, that it had arrested 16 suspected armed bandits while participating in the ongoing Operation SHARAN DAJI, which is under the auspices of Defence Headquarters (DHQ).

    “The outgoing Commander of the Unit, Group Captain Caleb Olayera, made the disclosure while receiving the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who was on an operational tour of the NAF unit in Gusau.

    “The visit by the CAS, who also announced the deployment of more air assets to support the Operation, was part of measures being taken to add value to the current security architecture in Zamfara State in terms of air operations and NAF Special Forces Operations.

    Read Also: Air Force bombs Boko Haram terrorists in Borno

    “According to Group Captain Olayera, aside from its ground operations, 207 QRG had been conducting air operations such as Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, armed reconnaissance and Close Air Support, as part of its contributions to the DHQ-led Operation SHARAN DAJI.

    “He further revealed that in the course of its operations, 207 QRG had also arrested a major hard drugs dealer, who was promptly handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for prosecution. In addition, the Unit had recovered 3 guns, 7 cartridges and a magazine loaded with 30 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition from suspected armed bandits.

    “Furthermore, the NAF Unit had rescued 3 injured villagers at Boko Village as well as 5 policemen held hostage, in addition to liberating 3 kidnapped victims. The outgoing Commander thereafter briefed the CAS on challenges, which if resolved, would further add impetus to the ongoing operations.

    “In his address, Air Marshal Abubakar commended the personnel of 207 QRG for their efforts so far in seeking to restore peace to Zamfara State. He equally saluted their constant bravery in the face of danger while reminding them that, as trained soldiers, they had a responsibility to protect the lives and properties of innocent Nigerians.

    “He assured the personnel that the Nation appreciates their daily sacrifices and that President Muhammadu Buhari, in particular, was very mindful of them. The CAS then announced some new steps being taken by the Federal Government to enhance their welfare.

    “He also immediately gave directives to the senior NAF officers concerned towards immediately addressing all the challenges presented by the Commander as well as those identified by him in the course of the visit.

    “In a subsequent interview with the Press, Air Marshal Abubakar said that the NAF needs intelligence from the populace to help in dealing with the security challenges in the State. He therefore urged the people to support the Armed Forces by providing credible intelligence on the locations of the armed bandits.

    “The Air Chief acknowledged that the projection of air power had natural limitations, such as weather amongst others, but that notwithstanding, the NAF would continue to do its best, within the ambit of safety”.

  • NAF deploys 52 senior officers to various formations

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has redeployed 52 senior officers to various formations in the country.

    The redeployment comprises of 16 Air Vice Marshalls, 16 Air Commodores, Nine Group Captains and Four Squadron Leaders.

    According to a statement issued by NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, AVM Olatokunbo Adesanya  on Thursday in Abuja, prominent among those affected by the deployment are 4 Branch Chiefs at the Headquarters Nigerian Air Force (HQ NAF) and one Air Officer Commanding.

    Read Also:NAF commits over 1300 officers to herdsmen/farmers crisis

    Also redeployed are other key appointment holders in the Service as part of a routine exercise aimed at further enhancing operational effectiveness and administrative efficiency.

    ” Also, redeployed , are other key appointment holders in the Service as part of a routine exercise aimed at further enhancing operational effectiveness and administrative efficiency,” he said.

    According to Adesanya, the newly appointed Branch Chiefs included AVM Charles Otegbade, who was the Director of Plans at HQ NAF, and is now the Chief of Communications and Information Systems (CCIS).

    ” In addition, AVM Kingsley Lar, who was the Chief of Standards and Evaluation (COSE), is now the Chief of Administration (COA).

    ” Others affected by the redeployment include AVM John Baba, the former Commandant, Air Force War College (AFWC), Makurdi, who is now the COSE as well as AVM Ibrahim Yahaya, the former COA, now the Chief of Logistics (CLOG),” he said

    Others redeployed are AVM Napoleon Bali, who was the Director of Operations at the HQ NAF, and now the Air Officer Commanding Mobility Command, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State and AVM Charles Oghomwen, who is now the Commandant, AFWC, Makurdi.

    Others include AVM AS Liman, who is now the Commandant Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (AFRC), Lagos, Air Commodore BB Okunola, now the Pioneer Commandant, NAF School of Medical Sciences and Aviation Medicine, Kaduna.

    Also, Air Commodore James Gwani, who has been appointed as the Commander Air Task Force (ATF) Operation LAFIYA DOLE.

    NAN

  • 2019 Elections: Air Force pledges support for INEC

    The Chief of the Air Staff, (CAS) Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on Thursday said the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) would provide all necessary logistic support for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enable it achieve success during the 2019 general elections.

    Air Marshal Abubakar said the Air Force has put adequate arrangements in place as done in 2015 to facilitate transportation of INEC sensitive materials to some designated locations across the country.

    The Air Chief who made the remarks while addressing Field Commanders and other Senior Officers during the 2nd Quarter Conference of the CAS at the Air Force Headquarters, Abuja, however warned officers and men of the Air Force to steer clear of partisan politics as the nation commenced preparations for the elections.

    He said the Officers and men of the force should remain focus in their constitutional responsibilities, stressing that as politics is in the air they should not be distracted either by political activities or social media comments.

    Read Also:2019 elections: Police vow to rid FCT of illegal firearms

    The Air Chief further noted that the aim of the conference is to review the progress attained in the NAF since the last Conference, adding that the meeting would afford the opportunity for the officers to critically appraise the performance of the Service in the past few months.

    Said Air Marshal Abubakar: “This Conference equally provides an avenue to listen and get feedback from various field commanders while also keeping them abreast of the policy direction of the Headquarters NAF.

    “I have held a similar Conference with the Air Warrant Officers and very Senior Non-Commissioned Officers of the NAF the previous day and the aim of the meeting is largely being to get a feedback from the personnel, as part of the bottom to top approach of the current leadership.

    “Let me remind the senior officers that the 2019 general elections were fast approaching and therefore caution that you should not allow yourselves to be dragged into partisan politics.

    “Even though you have the right to vote, exercise this right and do not be distracted from your constitutional duty of ensuring the protection of the nation’s territorial integrity and remain focused on any duty constitutionally assigned to you by the NAF.”

    Air Marshal Abubakar assured that the NAF would continue to operate in line with its constitutional mandate, promising that officers and men of the service would work towards ensuring that the sovereignty of Nigeria is not undermined by any group of individuals.

    The CAS said further: “Let me at this juncture assure that the Nigerian Air Force is willing to avail INEC its transport aircraft for the expeditious distribution of electoral materials during the forthcoming 2019 general elections as it had done in the past, should INEC require such services”.

    Air Marshal Abubakar advised the senior officers to take advantage of the lectures to be delivered at the conference by resource persons, noting that the conference was meant to fine tune their skills and update their knowledge on modern warfare.

  • NAF neutralises scores of Boko Haram terrorists in Koleram, Borno

    The Nigerian Air Force ( NAF ), said it neutralised scores of Boko Haram terrorists in Koleram town in Borno. AVM Olatokunbo Adesanya, NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, who confirmed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said the operation was conducted on Monday.

    “The successful air strike by the NAF Alpha Jet aircraft followed calls from the General Officer Commanding ( GOC ), 8 Division of the Nigerian Army that troops conducting clearance operations at Koleram had come in contact with the insurgents.’’

    According to him, the NAF also provided Close Air Support ( CAS ) to ground troops.

    Adesanya said the GOC, therefore, requested for support from the NAF, adding that the Alpha Jet aircraft was immediately deployed to provide CAS.

    Read Also: ‘Boko Haram no longer holds our territory’ – Nigeria tells UN

    “On arrival over the location, there were exchanges of fire between the terrorists and our ground forces.

    “The crew of a NAF 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 aircraft engaged the target with rockets and cannons, thus neutralizing the insurgents and destroying their weapons,’’ he said.

    The NAF spokesman said the Air Task Force would continue to conduct missions on request in support of the efforts of “our troops in the counterinsurgency operations in the North East.’’

    NAN

  • NAF Chief charges Nigerians, personnel on service delivery

    The Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Sadique, has called on the personnel of Nigerian Air Force ( NAF ) and other Nigerians to add value to service delivery.

    Sadique made the call on Sunday at the Interdenominational Church Service to mark the Nigerian Air Force 54th Anniversary celebration at the Protestant Church, NAF Base, Abuja.

    The chief of air staff, who was represented by the Chief of Standard and Evaluation, AVM Kingsley Lar, said that it was imperative that value was added to service delivery in order to build a NAF that people would be proud of.

    “The Nigerian Air Force is 54 and God in his mercy has kept us alive to celebrate as an organisation.

    “You need to add value wherever you find yourselves, in that small “corner” you are leading, you are to add value to our society.

    “What that means is that there is no finishing line, God sees your service, He is a God that rewards diligence and He will give you a reward,” he said.

    He then congratulated the NAF personnel and wished them a happy Anniversary celebration.

    In his sermon during the church service, Group Capt. Philip Kwasau, Chaplain of the Roman Catholic Church, called on Nigerians to ” go back to the base and ask God for direction.”

    “We are on our knees celebrating the greatness of a nation with prayers,” he said.

    He said that it was a good thing for NAF to celebrate 54 years of its existence.

    He said that no ambition was too great for God to accomplish, and no task was too great for NAF to accomplish, provided the right things were in place.

    “It is my prayer that the good Lord keeps and protects us all, and May we continue to stand on the solid rock of God,” he said.

    NAN

  • NAF Commander calls for closer synergy among security agencies

    Group Capt. John Ukeh, Commander, Base Services Group ( BSG ) of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Enugu, has called for more synergy among the various security agencies in the country to tackle the various security challenges.

    Ukeh made the call after the NAF Second Quarter Route March in Enugu, which took place between Enugu-Onitsha and Enugu-Abakaliki Road on Saturday.

    He noted that no single security agency or formation can effectively shoulder the security responsibility of the country.

    “This route march as directed by the Chief of Air Staff ( CAS ), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, is meant to keep the troops ready and fit for deployment to combat and trouble zones.

    “It will help to strengthen the health of NAF personnel and ensure that they are agile at all time.

    “This exercise also promotes inter-agency relations as we have members of sister security agencies marching in unison with our personnel this morning.

    “It is clear that no single agency or security formation can effectively tackle security challenges in the country.

    “So, we needed to create avenue for greater and closer synergy among all security agencies,’’ Ukeh said.

    The commander, however, urged the troops to be dedicated to their duties and bring innovative ideas meant to facilitate the mandate of the Chief of Air Staff and NAF in general.

    Speaking, Mr Cyriacus Enechukwu, Area Commander, Police Area Command in Enugu, lauded the NAF for keeping to its tradition of quarterly route marches and involve sister security agencies.

    “It is heartwarming that security agencies are working together to provide solutions to security challenges; and this will definite produce better results,’’ Enechukwu said.

    Read Also: NAF destroys Boko Haram Terrorists logistics base at Tumbum Gini

    Mr Agu Justin of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Command, Enugu and Mr Chukwuemeka Ochi of Nigeria Immigration Service, Enugu joined in thanking the NAF for putting up a “well-organised and well-attended’’ route march.

    “This gesture of carrying everybody along will help security agencies understand one another and improve the overall security of Enugu State and by extension the country,’’ they said.

    The newsmen reports that personnel from four formations within NAF in Enugu took part in the route march, which covered 10 km.

    The formations included: Headquarters Ground Training Command, 405 Helicopter Combat Training Group, personnel from NAF Comprehensive School, Agbani and personnel of Base Services Group.

    NAN

  • NAF destroys Boko Haram Terrorists logistics base at Tumbum Gini

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said its Air Task Force ( ATF ) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has successfully destroyed a Boko Haram Terrorists ( BHT ) logistics base at Tumbum Gini in the northern axis of Borno.

    AVM Olatokunbo Adesanya, NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, who confirmed this in a statement issued on Saturday, in Abuja, said the operation was carried out on April 27.

    “‘A Nigerien Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance ( ISR ) aircraft conducted the Battle Damage Assessment ( BDA ) for the mission.

    Read Also: Boko Haram suspect arrested over Benue attacks

    ” The BDA revealed that the first wave of a Nigerian Air Force ( NAF ) Alpha Jet aircraft strike on the location totally destroyed the vehicles and other logistics items at the place thereby further degrading the terrorists’ capabilities.

    ” Furthermore, at the end of the attack, the entire BHT location was engulfed in fire and all the terrorists in the location were neutralised,” he said.

    NAN

  • NAF intensifies fight against insurgency, others

    NAF intensifies fight against insurgency, others

    The Nigerian Air Force  (NAF) says it is intensifying efforts in the fight against insurgency and other crimes in the country.

    The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, AVM Olatokunbo Adesanya, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

    Adesanya said NAF and other services had since 2015 intensified efforts to decimate the insurgents.

    He said the terrorists no longer held any of the country’s territories “not even hoisting their flags in these areas’’, adding that they were now attacking soft targets.

    He said that what the service was doing basically, especially in the fight against the insurgents, was Intelligence Surveillance Recognisance  (ISR) mission.

    He said the aim of ISR was to gather intelligence which NAF’s fighter jets would later share with surface forces in the battle field and launch attacks on the insurgents’ hideouts and their logistics.

    The director added that the service had devoted a lot of resources, especially in the area of intelligence gathering, which led to the recovery of some of the Chibok girls and other hostages held by the insurgents.

    “With intelligence gathering, we are able to bomb their logistics and supply lines. And these usually cripple their plans to regroup and restraegise to attack soft targets.

    “We have been doing these on regular basis and it has gone a long way in disorganising the terrorists,” he said.

    Adesanya also said that apart from the aerial support in the fight against the insurgents, NAF had  contributed immensely to the ground troops .

    “We have also contributed immensely in the area of evacuating victims of the insurgency to a safer place for better treatment.

    “As well as supplying logistics to the troops, especially food, to feed the personnel located in remote areas in the North-East,” he said.

     

    Also read  Air Force fighter jets kill insurgents

    He said the service had also ensured that there was peace through out the country by deploying its personnel to all the six geo-political zones.

    “In the South-South, we are on steady air patrol and this has enabled the service to destroy several oil bages containing stolen crude oil.

    “We are ever on the lookout for pipeline vandals and other miscreants who pose threats to the nation’s critical assets.

    “In the South-West, we have been able to contain oil bunkering and other criminal activities, especially in the Arepo Area of Ogun, and other threats from other zones of the country.

    “In the South-East, we have also deployed our personnel to ensure peace in the area, especially during the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) disturbance,” he said.

    The director said the service would continue to ensure the security of the country, including protection of lives and property.