TheNewsGuru

Tag: naf

  • TERRORISTS: NAF Jets hit Zamfara enclave, scores of bandits dead, armourer escapes

    TERRORISTS: NAF Jets hit Zamfara enclave, scores of bandits dead, armourer escapes

    Scores of bandits have been killed as Nigerian Airforce (NAF) jets hit the enclave of notorious gun runner, Mallam Ila, at Manawa Village in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

    According to a defence operative, the gun runner was the major supplier of sophisticated weapons to the notorious terrorist, Bello Turji, in Zamfara.

    “The NAF aircraft under Operation Hadarin Daji carried out the strikes on the enclave of Mallam Ilu in the evening of 18 November 2022.

    “Mallam Ila remains a high-value target due to his closeness and association with terrorist leaders Bello Turji and Dan Bokoyo. Their foot soldiers have also been responsible for attacks in the Shinkafi general area of Zamfara State as well as parts of Kaduna, Niger, Kebbi, and Sokoto States.

    “After the airstrike on the location, multiple explosions were observed with huge fireballs, indicative of other highly inflammable materials hidden in the location. Scores of terrorists were eliminated during the operation,” the operative said.

    Another source explained that Mallam Ila narrowly escaped but sustained critical injuries following the hit from the NAF jets at the Zamfara enclave of the armourer.

    When contacted, the NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, confirmed the strikes and maintained that the military operations continued to curtail the excesses of bandits and terrorists in the states.

    “The NAF and other security agencies remain on track to seeing the ongoing counterterrorism effort to a conclusive end.

    “We call on Nigerians to continue supporting the security agencies with information on activities of criminal elements as solving the current security impasse requires the involvement of all,” Gabkwet added.

  • Just In: Troops clash with terrorists, scores allegedly killed, ISWAP Commander nabbed

    Just In: Troops clash with terrorists, scores allegedly killed, ISWAP Commander nabbed

     

    Scores of terrorists suspected to be ISWAP fighters have got killed by Nigerian troops after a failed attempt to free their leaders in a concentration camp located in New Bussa, Niger State.

    An online medium quoted a defence intelligence source to have said that the military had been anticipating the terrorists who met a massive ambush laid for them.

    “Though the incident happened at night, the troops had been anticipating such daring moves and have been on high alert.

    “They just came into our trap. While at least seven dead bodies of the terrorists were counted this morning (Saturday). The troops succeeded in arresting one of their commanders who led the fighters.

    NAF aircraft were also timely in supporting the ground troops from Wawa Military cantonment in Borgu local government area of Niger state, hence the success in decimating the terrorists,” he said.

    Details shortly…

  • BREAKING: NAF eliminates well known terrorist leader operating in Kaduna

    BREAKING: NAF eliminates well known terrorist leader operating in Kaduna

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says its Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch has eliminated a well-known terrorist leader, identified as Alhaji Shanono operating in Kaduna State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information made this known in a statement on Wednesday following a visit of Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao to the State.

    According to Gabkwet, the Chief of Air Staff was in Kaduna to review ongoing operations and give further directives.

    He disclosed that the elimination of Shanono followed receipt of intelligence on 9 August 2022, who had scheduled a meeting with his foot soldiers at Ukambo, a village about 131 km from Kaduna.

    Gabkwet stated: “…the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch dispatched aircraft for interdiction mission at the location.

    “Overhead the location, terrorists were sighted under clusters of trees at the foot of Ukambo high ground and after ensuring the absence of civilian settlements within the location, the crew received the authorization to strike.

    “Feedback from local sources disclosed that over 30 rifles and 20 motorbikes were destroyed while about 18 terrorists, including Alhaji Shanono, were neutralized while others sustained various degree of injuries.

    “Sources also revealed that not less than 26 kidnapped victims earlier held by the terrorists were released as a result of the airstrike”.

    The NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information also stated that similar strikes were also undertaken in the Northeast as well.

    “There, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai had their tasks well cut out for them as they have been fully engaged in conducting air interdiction missions on terrorists’ targets in Borno State.

    “One of such operations was conducted on 6 August 2022 at Gazuwa, about 1.2 kilometers to Gargash, after intelligences revealed that infighting for relevance and supremacy was underway between terrorists of the Shekau faction and terrorists aligned to Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP).

    “The state of confusion and disorder among the 2 terrorists’ factions thus presented an opportunity for a surprise strike by NAF pilots which was carried out using 2 aircraft types.

    “It should be noted that though the map coordinates led the pilots to the exact site of the infighting, the location also had an ISWAP flag hoisted on the structure and 3 solar panels on the rooftop.

    “Intelligence received and corroborated by local sources revealed the strike was a success as the terrorists did not anticipate it with several eliminated and others injured”.

    Read the full statement below:

    CAS REVIEWS ONGOING AIR OPERATIONS IN KADUNA AS TERRORISTS’ KINGPIN ALHAJI SHANONO, OTHERS ARE NEUTRALIZED IN AIRSTRIKES

    The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, was back to Kaduna earlier today 10 August 2022 to review ongoing operations and give further directives. This is even as intensive air operations endured in the entire military theatres of operation as NAF aircraft continue to seek and decimate enemies of the state in their attempts to make life unbearable for innocent Nigerians. From the briefings received by the CAS, it is evident that so far, the directives given to the operational commanders is yielding the requisite outcome. Air Marshal Amao, in addressing the commanders, reminded them of the need to remain steadfast and focused on the task ahead. ‘We can’t afford to let down our guards’, he said.

    In the Northwest specifically, the effect of strikes undertaken by NAF aircraft have revealed that several terrorists’ have been eliminated and their enclaves destroyed. One of such strikes which occurred yesterday, 9 August 2022 resulted in the elimination of a well known terrorist leader operating in Kaduna State. Indeed, following receipt of intelligence on 9 August 2022 that a well known terrorists’ kingpin, Alhaji Shanono, had scheduled a meeting with his foot soldiers at Ukambo, a village about 131 km from Kaduna, the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch dispatched aircraft for interdiction mission at the location. Overhead the location, terrorists were sighted under clusters of trees at the foot of Ukambo high ground and after ensuring the absence of civilian settlements within the location, the crew received the authorization to strike. Feedback from local sources disclosed that over 30 rifles and 20 motorbikes were destroyed while about 18 terrorists, including Alhaji Shanono, were neutralized while others sustained various degree of injuries. Sources also revealed that not less than 26 kidnapped victims earlier held by the terrorists were released as a result of the airstrike.

    Similar strikes were also undertaken in the Northeast as well. There, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai had their tasks well cut out for them as they have been fully engaged in conducting air interdiction missions on terrorists’ targets in Borno State. One of such operations was conducted on 6 August 2022 at Gazuwa, about 1.2 kilometers to Gargash, after intelligences revealed that infighting for relevance and supremacy was underway between terrorists of the Shekau faction and terrorists aligned to Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP). The state of confusion and disorder among the 2 terrorists’ factions thus presented an opportunity for a surprise strike by NAF pilots which was carried out using 2 aircraft types. It should be noted that though the map coordinates led the pilots to the exact site of the infighting, the location also had an ISWAP flag hoisted on the structure and 3 solar panels on the rooftop.

    Intelligence received and corroborated by local sources revealed the strike was a success as the terrorists did not anticipate it with several eliminated and others injured. The impact of the strikes is said to have reverberated through the remaining terrorists’ camps who are beginning to realize that they are fighting an unjust and lost cause that will no doubt lead to their death. Most are said to be contemplating surrendering just like others before them.

    Edward Gabkwet
    Air Commodore
    Director of Public Relations and Information
    Nigerian Air Force
    10 August 2022

  • Ex-NAF Chief, Abubakar clinches Bauchi APC guber ticket

    Former Chief of Air Staff, retired Air Marshal, Sadique Abubakar, has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2023 general election in Bauchi State.

    Abubakar polled 370 votes to defeat six other aspirants in the primary election held on Thursday in Bauchi.

    Announcing the result on Friday, the Returning Officer and Chairman, APC Election Committee, Alhaji Ali Birninkudu, declared Abubakar the winner of the election.

    He said that 1,020 delegates were accredited and 1,012 votes were cast in the exercise.

    The returning officer said that Sen. Haliru Jika (Bauchi-Central), the runner-up in the election polled 278 and Alhaji Nura Manu-Soro came third with 269 votes.

    He said that Musa Babayo polled 70 votes, Faruq Mustapha scored 26 votes, Mahmood Maijama 8 votes and Prof. Ali Pate got 0 votes, respectively.

    “I certified that Amb. Saddique Abubakar, having scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner.

    “He is, therefore, the standard flag bearer of the APC in the gubernatorial election that will take place in 2023 in Bauchi State,” he said.

    In his acceptance speech, Abubakar thanked Allah for his victory, and commended delegates and the leadership of the party for the confidence reposed in him.

    He promised to work together with other aspirants for the success of the party in the 2023 general election, adding that, “your support is not taken for granted.”

    According to reports one of the aspirant, Al-Amin Mohammed withdrew from the race few hours to the election.

  • Crash: What President Buhari said about death of 2 NAF pilots

    Crash: What President Buhari said about death of 2 NAF pilots

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the death of two Nigerian Air Force (NAF) pilots in a plane crash on Tuesday in Kaduna.

    The President’s media aide, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement on Wednesday night in Abuja, said the president made his feelings known while reacting to the death of the two pilots, Abubakar Alkali and Elijah Haruna Karatu.

    “I am shocked beyond words by the demise of these two promising young men who risked their lives in the service of the country.

    “There is no reward big enough to pay for the services of these young and dedicated professional airmen in the service of their country,” the president said.

    While extending his sympathies to the Chief of Air Staff and the families of the deceased, Buhari called for “more safety measures to forestall tragic incidents of this kind.”

    The president, who welcomed the decision of the NAF authorities to investigate the cause of the crash, called for the publication and implementation of the recommendations of reports of past investigations into air crashes.

    He said the publication and implementation of the reports would help to prevent future tragedies and also assist families and friends of the deceased to put a closure to the tragic incidents, he added.

  • NAF reacts to trainer aircraft crash in Kaduna

    NAF reacts to trainer aircraft crash in Kaduna

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it will ensure a thorough investigation into the cause of its Super Mushshak trainer aircraft crash that occurred on Tuesday at NAF Base, Kaduna.

    The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwwt, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    According to him, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, said this when he visited the families, friends and colleagues of the two pilots who lost their lives in the tragic incident.

    They are: Flt.- Lt. Abubakar Alkali and Flt.-Lt. Elijah Karatu.

    Amao, however, constituted an Accident Investigation Board upon receiving the sad news of the crash to determine the immediate and remote causes of the crash.

    The CAS assured the officers, airmen and airwomen of 401 Flying Training School (FTS ), Kaduna, that all measures would be emplaced to avert similar occurrence in the future.

    He also reminded them on the need to remain steadfast and focused on their assigned roles and responsibilities in view of the onerous task before NAF and other security agencies.

    This, he said, was to enable them to continue to rid the North-West and indeed the entire nation of all criminal elements.

    “The unfortunate incident of trainer aircraft crash is yet again a tragic reminder of the perilous nature of the military flying profession as well as the risks NAF pilots continually take daily to secure Nigeria’s territorial integrity,” he said.

  • Identities of two pilots killed in crashed NAF jet revealed

    Identities of two pilots killed in crashed NAF jet revealed

    The identities of the two pilots in the crashed jet of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) of Tuesday have been revealed.

    They are Flight Lieutenants Alkali and Karatu, recent graduates of the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA).

    The duo was part of the Nigerian Airforce officers who returned from Pakistan last year April following a six month training at the South East Asian country.

    A source close to the two officers said that as at last year April when he last saw them, they were not married.

    Helicopter crash has spiked in recent times in Nigeria.

    Recall that 11 months ago, Ibrahim Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff, and 10 other senior military officers died in a NAF’s Beechcraft 350, which crashed around the Kaduna International Airport.

    In fact, between August 29, 2015 and 2021, Nigeria suffered 11 military plane crashes with no fewer than 33 military officers perishing.

    These include the Air Force plane crash, which killed seven onboard (August 29, 2015) in Kaduna; the F-7NI jet on October 10, 2015, and the Augusta Westland which crashed in Makurdi on November 15.

    In 2021 alone, the Air Force lost at least three jets. They were the Beechcraft King Air 350i which went down with all seven officers on board in Abuja on March 21, 2021; the Alpha Jet which crashed while supporting troops in the North-East on April 3, 2021, and now the biggest of them all – the crash of a military jet conveying Nigeria’s 25th Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru and 10 other officers on board at the Kaduna Airport.

  • BREAKING: NAF officers feared dead as aircraft crashes in Kaduna

    BREAKING: NAF officers feared dead as aircraft crashes in Kaduna

    Officers of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) are feared to have been killed in a plane crash that occurred on Tuesday in Kaduna state.

    An authoritative source at the Air Force Base, who confirmed the incident said the tragedy occurred in the evening.

    The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said two personnel were on board the aircraft but did not give details.

    Recall that last year a military aircraft conveying the former Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru, and 10 others crashed, killing all the officers onboard including the Army Chief.

  • BREAKING: Wreckage of NAF fighter jet shot down by Boko Haram found a year after [PHOTOS]

    BREAKING: Wreckage of NAF fighter jet shot down by Boko Haram found a year after [PHOTOS]

    The wreckage of the fighter jet belonging to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) that went off the radar a year ago with two (2) crew members on board has been found.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the fighter jet is an Alpha Jet aircraft marked NAF475, which crashed while on a routine mission in support of troops in the Northern part of the country.

    The wreckage of the Alpha Jet aircraft (NAF475) was found by troops of Operation Desert Sanity on a clearance patrol in Sambisa Forest, Borno State.

    The troops uncovered the wreckage of the crashed Alpha Jet aircraft (NAF475) on Saturday.

    TNG recalls that the Alpha Jet aircraft (NAF475) crashed on 31 March 2021. Boko Haram claims responsibility for the crashed NAF fighter jet.

    The fighter jet was on a routine mission in support of troops at one of the Theatres of Operation in the Northern part of Nigeria when it was gunned down.

    The two crew members on board were later identified as Flight Lieutenant John Abolarinwa and Flight Lieutenant Ebiakpo Chapele, and they had since been buried.

    See photos below:

  • Alleged Money Laundering: Ex-Chief of Air Staff to know fate March 17

    Alleged Money Laundering: Ex-Chief of Air Staff to know fate March 17

    Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Wednesday, fixed March 17 for judgment in the remaining one count charge of money laundering levelled against former Chief of Air Staff, Mohammed Umar.

    Umar, who retired as an air marshall is charged with one count of money laundering, because six of the seven counts originally instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were dismissed by the court in 2021.

    At the resumed hearing, counsel adopted their final addresses and adumbrated on salient issues to further strengthen their arguments.

    Counsel to Umar, Mr Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, adopted and relied on the processes filed by the defendant in urging the court to dismiss count 7, discharge and acquit the defendant.

    Ikpeazu said he based his submission on the grounds that the EFCC failed to provide evidence to establish that the offence alleged in the count was committed by the defendant.

    According to Ikpeazu, there was no exhibit to show that there was a transfer of N66 million from the account of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) to Capital Law Firm for renovation of the defendant’s private residence.

    The senior lawyer maintained that the argument of the prosecution that Umar be convicted on a lesser charge was untenable in law.

    “In all cases of lesser offences, there must be two separate offences as one cannot be charged for one offence and convicted on an entirely different charge.

    “The court cannot go outside the law charged and convict under another law not charged.”

    He said that the money that left NAF account to Capital Law Firm Account was N57 million in two tranches of N47 million and N10 million and that the only way the count could stand was to amend the charge.

    For his part, the prosecuting counsel, Mr Sylvanus Tahir maintained that the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that money left NAF account to Capital Law Firm account.

    “We didn’t prove that N66 million left NAF account but N57 million left in two tranches of N47 million and N10 million.

    He said in as much as the prosecution conceded to the fact not N66 million but N57 million left the account, it still remained a crime as the money was used for private purpose.

    He urged the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.

    Justice Dimgba thereafter fixed March 17 to deliver judgment.

    Umar was first arraigned on Jan. 25, 2017 on a seven-count charge of money laundering and procurement fraud to the tune of N9.7 billion.

    But on Feb. 23, 2021, Justice Dimgba, ruling on a no-case submission filed by the defendant, discharged and acquitted the former chief of air staff on six out of the seven-counts.

    The court said it found merit in a no-Case submission the defendant filed in relation to counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the charge on the grounds that the evidence given by the EFCC could not sustain the charges.

    It however, refused and dismissed the no -case submission with regards to count seven.

    The remaining charge has to do with alleged diversion of N66 million from the NAF’s bank account.