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Tag: Nigerian Air Force

  • Video: NAF destroys insurgents gun trucks near Damasak, Borno

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has destroyed some Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) gun trucks in air strikes conducted near Damasak in Northern Borno.

    NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    “The attacks were executed on Jan. 5, while providing close air support for ground troops at Damasak who were in pursuit of the terrorists who had attempted to breach their location.

    “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Mi-35M Helicopter Gunship engaged the group of terrorists’ gun trucks in successive waves of attacks as they retreated, destroying and immobilising three of them while causing significant damage to others and neutralising several terrorists,” he said.(NAN)

     

  • NAF neutralises scores of bandits in Zamfara

    The Nigerian Air Force, says Air Task Force (ATF), of Operation DIRAN MIKIYA has destroyed another armed bandits’ hideout and neutralised several of their fighters near Doumbourou Hill in Zamfara.

    Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, who announced this in Abuja, said the operation was carried out on Wednesday.

    “The attack was executed yesterday, Jan. 2 , following human intelligence (HUMINT) reports, which were later confirmed by Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), missions, indicating that a large number of bandits, armed with high calibre weapons, regularly assemble at a compound around the foot of the hill before going out on operations.

    Read also: Troops neutralise six Boko Haram terrorists in Borno

    “Accordingly, the ATF scrambled two Nigerian Air Force (NAF) attack helicopters, supported by an ISR platform, to engage the bandits and destroy their compound.

    “The helicopters strafed the target area in successive waves of attack, with the first wave causing some damage to the structures and neutralising some of their fighters.

    “The second wave was sequenced to engage the armed bandits as they re-emerged out of their hiding places, thus inflicting further fatalities on them,” he said.

    Daramola said that credible HUMINT sources later revealed that the leader of the group was among those killed during the attack.

    He said the ATF, would continue to work in close coordination with surface forces and other security agencies, to conduct reconnaissance and air interdiction missions with a view to restoring normalcy to the affected States in the North West.(NAN)

  • Air Force deploys massive air assets over Zamfara killings

    The Nigerian Air Force on Thursday said arrangements have been concluded for massive deployment of aircraft and other platforms to Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina states to end the spate of bandit attacks, cattle rustlings and other criminal activities in the Northwest region.

    The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, disclosed this during on-the-spot assessments of the troubled areas.

    He said the security situation in the region require fashioning a new response strategy that would restore peace and orderliness within the shortest period.

    He said 18 new aircraft have been acquired by the present leadership to respond to the security challenges across the country.

    In the next 16 months, he stated the NAF expect another set of 18 new ones.

    He added that 13 additional aircraft have been rehabilitated and made serviceable for operations.

    Abubakar, who also visited the governors of the three states, commended them for their support for the Armed Forces in tackling security challenges.

    He noted the security agencies however need intelligence information from the locals to track down the bandits and other criminals within the area.

    According to a statement by the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, the Air Chief also inspected the Sultan Abubakar III Airport in Sokoto and other platforms upon which to launch operations against the bandits.”

    Daramola quoted the Air Force Chief as saying that he was in the zone to assess the situation with a view to evolving strategies and emplacing more effective structures and air assets in support of the operations to deal with the threat.

    He also added Abubakar had visited HQ ATF OPDM which also served as the Air Component of Operation Sharan Daji (OPSD) and would also visit the NAF 119 Forward Operating Base (119 FOB) Sokoto with a view to upgrading facilities to enable the conduct of air operations from Sokoto, for enhanced NAF response capability in dealing more decisive blows on the armed bandits

    The governors expressed appreciation for the visit, noting security agencies had been doing their best to curtail the activities of the armed bandits in the region, especially since the commencement of OPDM and the recent Operation 777 under OPSD.

    According to them, however, it appeared the armed bandits were reacting to the tremendous successes of the operations by launching a fresh wave of attacks against innocent civilians, regretting that as a result, killings and kidnappings had become daily affairs.

  • Air Force promotes 64 senior officers

    The Nigerian Air Force said on Wednesday that a total of 64 senior officers have been promoted following the approval of the Air Force Council.

    A statement signed by the spokesman of the Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said the senior officers comprise of 14 Air commodores promoted to the rank of Air Vice Marshals.

    The statement reads “The Air Force Council (AFC) on 4 December 2018, approved the promotion of a total of 64 senior officers to the next higher ranks in the Nigerian Air Force.

    “The affected senior officers comprise 14 Air Commodores who were promoted to the rank of Air Vice Marshal, 36 Group Captains promoted to Air Commodore and 14 Wing Commanders promoted to the rank of Group Captain. In line with the provisions in Chapter 8 of the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS) Officers 2017 (Revised), the AFC also approved the concessional commission of 3 Air Warrant Officers (AWO) and one Master Warrant Officer (MWO) to the rank of Flight Lieutenant.

    Read Also: Air Force men clear drainage in Oshodi

    “Those promoted to the rank of Air Vice Marshal include Air Commodores James Gwani, Moses Onilede, Charles Umolu, Olurotimi Tuwase, Musa Muktar, Emmnuel Alade and Musibau Olatunji.

    “Others are Air Commodores Maxwell Nnaji, Sule Lawal, Aliyu Bello, Ismaila Yahaya, Emmanuel Chukwu, Abdullahi Kassimu and Ibrahim Ali. Among those promoted from the rank of Group Captain to Air Commodore include Precious Amadi, Eneobong Effiom, Francis Edosa, Ndubuisi Okoro, Abubakar Sule, Olufemi Odeyinde, Olasunkanmi Abu, Razaq Olanrewaju, Micheal Ekwueme, Simon Peter,  David Pwajok, Suleiman Usman, Patrick Obeya, Ahmed Shinkafi, Ayodele Laoye, Nnamdi Ananaba, Esen Efanga and Ademuyiwa Adedoyin.

    “Others promoted to the rank of Air Commodore are Abdulrasheed Kotun, Albert Bot, Kennedy Mataluwo, Shehu Bakari, Zayyan Usman, Henry Yurkusi, Bashir Mamman, Jibrin Usman, Mohammed Ibrahim, Anthony Martins, Mohammed Aliyu, John Ukeh, Mohammed Yusuf, Adeniran Ademuwagun, Isaac Abatan,  Gideon Bako, Anthony Ekpe and Okey Ezeanyagu.

    ” Those elevated to the rank of Group Captain include Wing Commanders Valentine Oraeki, Abraham Sule, Abubakar Muhammed, Shehu Chindo, Oluwaseun Oluwatayo, Mohammed Ahmed, Adolphus Akins, Ali Idris, Idris Suleiman, Ibrahim Shehu, Dogari Apyeyak, Yahaya Bashir, Logomfa Nansoh and Mba Igbe.

    “The Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs) granted concessional Commission to the rank of Flight Lieutenant include Air Warrant Officers Julde Muhammed, Mohammed Madugu, Theophilus Enem and Master Warrant Officer Samuel Ogunnubi.

    “The promotion exercise is expected to motivate the affected officers to re-dedicate themselves towards more effective and efficient service delivery.

    “The senior officers and newly commissioned officers will be decorated with their new ranks at a later date.”

  • Buhari departs Paris

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday morning departed the Le Bourget Airport in France for Abuja.

    His plane Nigerian Air Force 001 took off from the airport around 11.50 a.m

    He had arrived Paris, France last Friday night to attend the first edition of the Paris Peace Forum scheduled for 11th to 13th of November, 2018.

    The Forum, which was organised by the French Government and a number of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), was based on the idea that international cooperation was key to tackling global challenges and ensuring durable peace.

    Buhari had joined over 70 world leaders, including the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, in discussing contributions towards global peace and underscoring the imperative of collective action.

    He also joined them to commemorate the centenary anniversary of the Armistice signed on 11th of November, 1918 between the Allied Forces and Germany in the forest of Compiegne in France to end the First World War.

    Read Also: Buhari, Osinbajo lash out at restructuring advocates

    Apart from attending a luncheon hosted by President Emmanuel Macron of France in honour of visiting heads of delegations on Sunday, Buhari on Monday had an interactive session with the Nigerian Community in France.

    He left Paris with Governors Aminu Masari (Katsina), Willie Obiano (Anambra) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), President’s Aide De Camp, Lt. Col Ml Abubakar, among other top government officials.

    Those who bid the President farewell at the airport included the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; and the National Security Adviser, Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd) among other top government officials.

  • 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. “

  • Independence Day rehearsal: Pilot dies as two Air Force planes crash in Abuja

    A  Nigerian Air Force pilot yesterday died after two planes crashed in Abuja during a rehearsal ahead of the 58th Independence Day celebration on Monday.

    Involved in the crash were F-7Ni aircraft.

    The pilots  had successfully ejected from one of the ill-fated aircraft only for one of them -Squadron Leader Bello Baba-Ari-to die, apparently from injuries.

    Air Force spokesman , Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola confirmed the development.

    He said: “It is with a heavy heart that I regretfully announce that one of the pilots who successfully ejected from one of the F-7Ni aircraft that crashed earlier today (yesterday) has passed on.

    “May his soul  rest in peace. Additional details on the incident will be communicated later. ”

    The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar  immediately  set up a board of inquiry to investigate the accident, while President Muhammadu Buhari delegated the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, and the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, to visit the two surviving co-pilots of the crashed aircraft  at the Defence Intelligence Agency Hospital, Abuja.

    Baba-Ari was laid to rest last night at the Military Cemetery, Airport Road Abuja.

    Among those who attended the burial were Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonishakin.

    Others were Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Siddique Abubakar, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, hundreds of officers and men of the Nigerian Army, as well as friends and relatives of the deceased.

    Senior military officers and colleagues of the deceased could not control their emotions as they wept at the burial.

    Abubakar said yesterday’s rehearsal was supposed to be the last before the Monday event.

    He said:  “I think that is the tragic nature of our job. As a combat pilot, sometimes  terrible things happen and this is one of those days.

    “These officers have been rehearsing for the 58th independence anniversary of their country.

    “Everybody was full of enthusiasm, excited to be part of the celebration.Unfortunately, we had this incident this afternoon.

    “We have set up a board of enquiry to clearly understand what really happened. This was supposed to the last rehearsal before the actual flying on the 1st of October.

    “It is very unfortunate that we lost one of them, but we are also consoled by the fact that we have two of the pilots here who are in stable condition. They have been visited by the Chief of Staff and I have also visited them

    “This is something that has to do with the profession of flying combat aircraft and sometimes you can’t avoid these things from happening.”

    Commiserating with the survivors at the DIA Clinic, Abba Kyari conveyed  Buhari’s grief over the accident.

    Wishing them a quick recovery,he said: “The President said we should come and see you and wish you well. He is fully aware.

    “He  has been informed on what happened. We are proud of your service to your country.”

  • Air Force confirms death of Pilot in crash

    The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed the death of one of the pilots who were on the aircraft that crashed in Abuja earlier on Friday.

    The spokesman for the Air Force, Air Commodore, Ibikunle Daramola confirmed the death of the pilot officer in a statement.

    Read Also:Airforce chief: don’t dent our image

    He said:” it is with a heavy heart that I regretfully announce that one of the pilots who successfully ejected from one of the F-7Ni aircraft that crashed earlier today has passed on.

    “May his soul RIP. Additional details on the incident will be communicated later. “

  • Breaking: Air Force Jets crash in Abuja

    The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed the crash of two of its aircraft involved in the on-going rehearsals for the 58 Independence Anniversary Celebration of the country.

    The crash occurred around 11 am on Friday at Mpape area of Abuja metropolis.

    Read Also: Nine die in Ekiti road crash

    No lives were lost in the crash.

    The Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola confirmed the crash in a statement.

    He said: “I wish to confirm an air incident involving 2 Nigerian Air Force aircraft taking part in the rehearsals for the 58th Independence Day Celebrations.

    “Thankfully no lives were lost. Details will be communicated later. Thank you”

  • Farmers/herders killings declining drastically, says minister

    There have been drastic decline in the farmers-herders killings across the country, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has said.

    Mohammed attributed the drastic reduction to the various measures and actions of the government in tackling the crisis headlong.

    Speaking at the sixth Special Town Hall meeting on Farmer-herders clashes in the country held in Gusau, Zamfara state yesterday the minister also reiterated that the clashes have never been of religious or ethnic but an act of banditry.

    He therefore urged Nigerians to repudiate those who are trying to introduce religious and ethnic coloration into the crisis.

    While declaring the meeting open, the minister assured the gathering that government efforts at taming the situation was yielding result.

    He said: “Let me say straight away that the killings, resulting from farmers-herders clashes, cattle rustling, trans-border crimes and banditry, among others, have fallen drastically. Unfortunately, this has not received the kind of media coverage that was given to the killings. I appeal to the media to correct this.

    “The drastic fall in the killings resulted from concerted and committed actions by the Federal Government. Measures taken to curtail the farmers-herders clashes, cattle rustling and other acts of banditry include:- Deployment of a Joint Military Intervention Force (JMIF), comprising; Regular and Special Forces personnel from the Army, Air Force and Navy, and working in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force,

    Department of State Security (DSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC),  Establishment of the Army’s 2 Battalion Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Kanfanin Doka Village, Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna State.

    Read Also: Yet another presidential theory on farmers versus herdsmen

    Establishment of a new Area Command and two additional Divisional Police Headquarters in the Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. – Establishment by Nigerian Air Force of Quick Response Wings (QRW) in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States, and deployment of Special Forces to these Quick Response Wings. The inauguration, by the Nigeria Police Force, of a new Mobile Squadron in Takum, Taraba State.

    And Operation ‘Whirl Stroke’, operating in Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba and Zamfara states, to tackle the menace of armed herdsmen, cattle rustlers, communal militias, kidnappers and other bandits.

    “I have no doubt that the good people of Zamfara can testify to the drastic reduction in the activities of cattle rustlers and other bandits in the state since the Federal Government assembled a 1000-strong military force, comprising the army, air force, police and the civil defence, to launch fierce attacks on the bandits terrorizing the villages and towns of Zamfara State. The situation will continue to improve until the violence has stopped.

    “Your Excellency, Honorable Ministers, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, let me conclude by repeating what I have always said: The killings that we have witnessed in the country have nothing to do with ethnicity or religion. As I have always cited, those rustling cattle in Zamfara are largely Hausa/Fulani and Muslim. Those whose cattle are rustled are largely Hausa/Fulani and Muslim. Where is ethnicity? Where is religion in this? And in Kebbi, more than 70 per cent of inmates in the state prison are there because of farmers-herders clash. Yet, the farmers are mostly Hausa/Fulani and Muslim, and the herders are mostly Hausa/Fulani and Muslim. Ethnicity and religion play no role!

    “Those who are bent on exploiting our national fault lines have distorted the narrative to give the killings ethnic and religious coloration, and this has aggravated the killings. We must repudiate them, even as the Federal Government continues to consolidate on the successful efforts to end the killings.”