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Tag: Nigerian Air Force

  • Air Force launches more attacks on Boko Haram in Sambisa

    The Nigerian Air Force said yesterday that the air strikes against the Boko Haram Terrorists in the fringes of Lake Chad and Sambisa forest are being sustained through Operation Thunder Strike II to ensure that the remnants of the insurgents are completely degraded.

    The Spokesman for the Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said in a statement that the attacks on the insurgents at Kollaram and Bula Korege within Sambisa were conducted after the Intelligence, Survaillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms had established the presence of the terrorists in the areas.

    Air Commodore Daramola said: ”  As Operation THUNDER STRIKE 2 entered Day 5 yesterday, 7 September 2018, the Air Task Force (ATF) for Operation LAFIYA DOLE recorded another set of successful air interdiction missions against Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) targets at Kollaram on the Lake Chad Green fringes as well as Bula Korege within Sambisa Forest.

    ” The attack at Kollaram was conducted following successive days of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, coupled with Human Intelligence reports, that led to the identification of a BHT hideout within the settlement. Accordingly, the ATF detailed a fighter aircraft to attack the insurgents’ hideout which was destroyed and several BHTs killed.

    ”  Further ISR missions  had also observed significant BHT presence in the middle of Bula Korege on the fringes of Sambisa Forest, with several buildings identified as locations where some BHT leaders reportedly resided. Consequently, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet aircraft and 2 helicopter gunships were detailed to carry out air interdiction at the location.

    “The attacks by the fighter jets destroyed about 12 BHT dwellings and several solar panels in the area of interest. A few BHT survivors were seen fleeing the area and appropriately engaged by the Mi-35M helicopter gunships. The NAF will sustain the momentum of the operation with a view to decimating the remnants of the insurgents”.

  • Air Force bombs Boko Haram facility in Borno

    Kill scores of insurgents

    The Nigerian Air Force said on Tuesday that it has again bombed a training facility of the Boko Haram terrorists located in parts of Borno State.

    It added that several members of the insurgent group were killed during the air interdiction.

    A statement from the spokesperson of the Air Force, Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said the operations were carried out after its intelligence platform had established the presence of the terrorists in the area.

    The statement reads: “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has recorded further gains in the ongoing air interdiction operations designed to wipe out remnants of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) within the fringes of Lake Chad.

    “This occurred as the ATF on Monday, 20 August 2018, conducted air strikes on BHT camps at Zanari and Tunbun Rego in Borno State.

    Read Also: Borno denies Boko Haram attack on Alau Dam

    “The air strikes at Zanari were planned and executed based on intelligence reports indicating that the BHTs had established a training camp in the village and were converging in an area prior to departing for an attack on own troops locations around the Lake Chad area.

    “Accordingly, the ATF scrambled 2 NAF Alpha Jet aircraft for a pre-emptive strike on 2 specified locations within Zanari, where the BHTs were assembled.

    “The fighter aircraft acquired and attacked both locations, neutralizing several BHTs, with only few survivors seen fleeing the area. These were later mopped up by follow-on rocket strikes.

    “Similarly, another identified BHT rendezvous point and staging area on the outskirts of Tunbun Rego was also attacked and destroyed by the Alpha Jets.

    “The NAF will continue to deploy its platforms to conduct intensive Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions in the entire Northeast aimed at discovering the possible locations of remnants of BHTs and neutralizing them. “

  • Air Force Bombs Boko Haram members in Sambisa Forest

    The Nigerian Air Force Monday said it has launched series of air strikes on members of the Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) group who were regrouping at the fringes of the Sambisa forest in Borno state.

    According to the spokesman of the Air Force, Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, the massive attacks were conducted night and day against the terrorists’ facilities in the general area.

    Read Also:Borno denies Boko Haram attack on Alau Dam

    Commodore Daramola said in a statement supported with the video clip of the attacks that fleeing Boko Haram members were also dislodged in their abode with helicopter gunships.

    The statement reads: “The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, between 10 and 18 August 2018, conducted massive day and night attacks against remnants of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) and their facilities.

    “The attacks, which were preceded by days of intensive Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, were planned and executed based on credible intelligence indicating that the BHTs were making moves to regroup around the fringes of Sambisa.

    “The first air strike was a daytime mission executed on 10 August 2018 at a location 4.5 Km Northwest of Arra around the fringes of Sambisa, where ISR had confirmed that BHTs were regrouping to launch attacks against our troops in the general area. Accordingly, the ATF detailed an Alpha Jet to attack the location.

    “Overhead the area of interest, the Alpha Jet acquired and engaged targets, destroying parts of the settlement and neutralizing several BHTs. Intelligence reports later revealed that some of the surviving BHTs had converged at another location 4.8Km West of Arra.

    “Consequently, the ATF deployed Mi-35M helicopter gunships for a night attack on the new location on 18 August 2018, resulting in the death of dozens of BHTs.”

  • Air Force kill bandits, leader in Zamfara forests

    The Nigerian Air Force says more bandits have been killed in their hideouts inside Zamfara state forests and therefore appealed to remnants of the bandits to surrender themselves and their weapons to the Government authority.

    The spokesperson of the Air Force, Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said in a statement that the attacks against the bandits were carried out after an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance platforms have established the presence of the bandits and their kingpin in the area.

    The statement reads: ”  The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Air Task Force (ATF) for Operation DIRAN MIKIYA, on 15 and 18 August 2018, successfully degraded several identified hideouts of a notorious armed bandit kingpin.

    “The attacks, which were executed in support of ground troops in Sector 2 of Operation SHARAN DAJI, were planned based on credible intelligence that the kingpin and his group of armed bandits were using an abandoned primary school in SHAMASHALE as well as some makeshift settlements in nearby RUGU Forest in the Eastern part of ZAMFARA State as bases for their operations.

    ” The attack at SHAMASHALE was conducted on 15 August 2018, following further confirmatory Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions that revealed the presence of several armed bandits in the area.

    ” Accordingly, the ATF dispatched 2 combat helicopters to attack the location. During the attack, some bandits carrying sophisticated high caliber weapons were seen trying to flee the area. Some were on motorcycles carrying AK-47 rifles and, rather than dropping their weapons and surrendering, attempted to shoot at the helicopters; hence they were neutralized.

    Read also: 55 Babies die daily in Niger State  

    ” Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) conducted on 16 August 2018 confirmed that the kingpin’s main hideout had been severely degraded and human intelligence (HUMINT) sources later availed pictures of some of the slain bandits. Items recovered from the armed bandits include 2 General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), 2 AK 47 rifles, 100 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and 2 mobile phones.

    ”  The adjoining settlement camps within RUGU Forest, which had earlier been confirmed by HUMINT sources to be inhabited by only bandits, were attacked on 18 August 2018. A ground attack aircraft and 2 combat helicopters struck the camps in successive waves; first targeting the shelters and then executing follow-on attacks to ensure the threat posed to the local villagers was adequately dealt with.

    ” 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.”

     

  • NAF fighter jet destroys Boko Haram hideout in Borno

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya  Dole  has conducted a successful attack on a Boko Haram Terrorists’ (BHTs) Hideout in Daban Masara in Borno.

    Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, said that the operation was carried out on Friday.

    ” The surgical air strikes were conducted on the strength of credible intelligence which indicated that remnants of BHTs on the Lake Chad Islands were hiding out in settlements at the Southern part of the lake, including Daban Masara, and were amassing in some buildings for a meeting.

    “An air interdiction mission was therefore planned and executed to destroy 2 out of the green roofed buildings within Daban Masara that were identified as BHT rendezvous points.

    ” Upon receiving the intelligence, the ATF dispatched a NAF Alpha Jet aircraft, along with an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform, to attack the 2 buildings where the BHTs were gathered with bombs.

    ” Overhead the area of interest, the Alpha Jet successfully released its bombs on the targets in successive strikes leading to massive destruction of the target buildings as well as the neutralisation of several BHTs,” he said.

  • Air Force drill personnel, hold 10-km walk in Lagos

    The Nigerian Air Force(NAF) on Saturday drilled its personnel and conducted a 10-km walk and jogging, aimed at keeping the staff fit to tackle security challenges in the country.

    The Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal Nnamdi Ekeh, who led the exercise from the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base, Lagos, said that the walk would foster unity and develop all round physical fitness.

    He added that “as NAF personnel, it is very important that we are physically fit to be able to tackle challenges confronting us.

    “This is why we do this exercise annually just to keep our personnel in shape.

    “We must not relent in our effort at ensuring that physical fitness occupies a satisfactory standard in our routine programmes.”

    Ekeh urged the officers to always undergo physical training to keep fit and be combat-ready at all times.

    According to him, the walk and jogging are important moments for NAF and are marked yearly.

    He reiterated the force’s readiness to solve the country’s security challenges.

    No fewer than 500 officers and men participated in the exercise, which took off from Sam Ethnan Airforce Base, Ikeja, about 8 a.m. through local and international airport and back to the Base.

    Senior military officers, both serving and retired, as well as officers from other security agencies participated in the exercise.

  • 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”.

  • NCC withdraws 36 million redundant subscribers lines

    The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, said on Thursday that about 36 million redundant lines of subscribers have been withdrawn in the past few months so as to give room for effective management of telecom facilities.

    Its Executive Vice Chairman Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta said the lines had to be withdrawn because “we do not have time to allow resources to waste. The intention is to ensure that all resources at our disposal, number resources, spectrum resources are put into god use and benefit of this country”.

    Prof. Danbatta who spoke with Journalists shortly after declaring open the 84th Edition of Telecom Consumer Parliament at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Conference Centre, Abuja, noted that the NCC would continue to play its regulatory roles for the growth and development of the industry.

    He said: “Those are lines that are redundant. We always give statistics about active lines. We have noticed that the teledensity is growing, steadily growing for 6-7 months and has exceeded 150million mark now.

    “It is expected of NCC that resources that are not being put into use are withdrawn so that this can in turn be a sign to all operators so that they can put them in good use and activate them.”

    Prof. Danbatta also said the NCC was doing everything possible to bridge the 198 telecom access gap which translates to about 40 million people especially those in rural areas not having access to mobile phone usage.

    According to him NCC in conjunction with industrial players is deploying a modern technology solution in three locations to tackle the problem headlong instead of following the present mechanism which would take over 20 years to achieve.

    He said NCC besides approving a wide range of palliatives to improve availability, accessibility, and affordability of telecom services to consumers, has gone some step further to partner with some stakeholders on the deployment infrastructures for the good of the industry.

    Read Also: NCC: SMEs, innovators, others are growth engines

    Prof. Danbatta said: “The NCC in partnership with stakeholders deployed base  transceivers to stations in those areas that do not have access in order to bridge access gaps. We are doing this at the rate of about 10 per annum,  and going by the number of access gaps,  it is going to take the NCC close to 20 years to close all access gaps.

    “The rural population does not have the time to wait, they are not going to be patient for 20 years without access to telecommunication services. Therefore, there is need to find ingenious ways to  close these gaps within shortest period of time.  And fortunately, technology  presents itself  with various options in solving this problem in shorter time.

    “There is a Rural Technology Solution which we have deployed through a pilot scheme in about three locations in the country and we are very happy about the outcome of this pilot deployment.

    “In partnership with those in possession of these technology here in Nigeria, to reciprocate the deployment beyond the pilot, so that we can close those access gaps and then see what happens.  But by my estimation, we can through rural technology solution bridge the gaps in about 3-4 years.

    “When you want to bridge gaps, you have to have spectrum and of course the spectrum belong to operators, we are leveraging this important resource to facilitating partnership between the owners of the solution with the operators and NCC is right there ensuing that the partnership becomes operative.

    “I am happy to report that most of the operators are disposed to this as well as the owners of the technology solutions.”

    Prof Danbatta said the Telecoms Consumer Parliament (TCP) is one of the robust platforms designed by the Commission to facilitate interaction on issues of common interest,  and therefore urged industrial players as well as consumers to take advantage of it.

  • CDS orders deployment of Special Forces to Plateau

    …Air Force Deploys Combat Helicopters

    The Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin has ordered the deployment of Special Forces into Plateau state just as Combat Helicopters from the Nigerian Air Force headed to the state to restore peace and orderliness.

    According to a statement from the Defence Headquarters, the Special Forces were to beef up the activities of Operation Safe Haven in the state and its environs.

    The statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Brig Gen John Agim reads: “The Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin has authorized the deployment of additional Special Forces to Plateau State to beef up the strength of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH).

    “The additional troops which arrived Jos, capital of Plateau State on Monday were received and briefed by the Commander OPSH, Major General AM Atolagbe on their new assignment.

    Read Also:PDP knocks Presidency over statement on Plateau killings

    “The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to assure all law abiding citizens of Plateau state of their safety.

    “Meanwhile, misguided youths who have offered themselves to be used as thugs are hereby warned that anyone apprehended will receive the full weight of the law.

    “Herdsmen and farmers are also warned not to take laws into their hands; rather suspected persons should be reported promptly to security agencies”.

    Similarly the Nigerian Air Force announced that Combat Helicopters have been deployed to Plateau with Intelligence, Surveillance and Recoinnassance (ISR) platforms to bring the situation under control.

    The NAF Spokesperson AVM Olatokunbo Adesanya said in a statement: “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has today, 25 June 2018, deployed an Mi-35P combat helicopter and an Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft to Plateau State in support of efforts aimed at quelling the crisis that recently erupted in the State and restoring normalcy.

    “The deployment of the ISR aircraft is expected to enhance intelligence gathering while the combat helicopter would conduct armed reconnaissance and other combat air support operations in close coordination with surface forces deployed to the State.

    “Meanwhile, other NAF air assets are available at nearby alternate airfields to hasten the process of restoring normalcy in the State, as might be necessary”.

  • NAF deploys Combat Helicopter to Gusau

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has deployed a combat helicopter to its 207 Quick Response Group (QRG) in Gusau.

    According to a statement by AVM Olatokunbo Adesanya, NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information,the deployment of the artillery EC-135 helicopter is part of efforts aimed at intensifying the fight against armed banditry in Zamfara and environs.

    “The helicopter will operate from the recently constructed helipads at 207 QRG Gusau thereby, enhancing overall operational effectiveness,” Adesanya said.

    Accordingly, NAF will be better positioned to provide the needed air support to the additional surface forces just deployed by the Defence Headquarters to tackle the security challenges in the State.

    Read Also: Air Force deploys two helicopters to Zamfara

    “Other NAF air assets, however, remain available on nearby alternate airfields to add impetus to air operations in the State as might be necessary,” he said.

    He said that AVM Ismaila Kaita, the Air Officer Commanding Special Operations Command of the NAF, also undertook an operational visit to the Unit to obtain firsthand information on the situation and address any possible challenges.

    He said that visit by Kaita revealed that the morale of the deployed NAF Special Forces was high and they are in a state of high alert.