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Tag: naf

  • Scores of bandits killed in air raid on Zamfara forest – DHQ

    The Defence Headquarters says the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji has destroyed two bandits’ camps and a cave hideout led by Hassan Tagwaye in Doumborou Forest, Zamfara State.

    The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, in a statement on Thursday said the air interdiction missions were conducted by the troops under the subsidiary Operation Wutan Daji on June 23.

    Enenche said the airstrikes resulted in the killing of some key armed bandits’ leaders as well as several of their fighters after series of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions.

    He said the intelligence report led to the identification of the camps and a cave where the bandits store their weapons as well as hide to evade attacks.

    According to him, the Air Component dispatched an enhanced force package of fighter jets and helicopter gunships to attack the location.

    He said: “At the first camp, some bandits, who had assembled for a meeting near one of the huts, were neutralized by the attack aircraft.

    “At the second camp, a suspected high-value bandits’ leader along with some weapon-bearing fighters were seen in the vicinity of some huts.

    “The attack aircraft engaged the target structures, scoring accurate hits and taking out the huts along with their occupants.

    “The NAF jets also later recorded direct hits on the suspected bunker, from where some of the bandits were seen emerging, completely destroying it.

    “Human Intelligence reports later confirmed that Hassan Tagwaye and his twin brother Hussain along with several other bandits were neutralized in the airstrikes, while a few escaped with injuries.”

    Enenche urged the people in the affected areas to report those with sudden and suspicious injuries to the security forces to ensure that the escapees were mopped up.

    He said the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, had urged the troops to remain resolute in the conduct of air strikes whilst continuing to provide close air support for ongoing ground operations in order to eradicate all armed bandits.

  • Air Force deploys Special Forces to Nasarawa

    Air Force deploys Special Forces to Nasarawa

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Sunday deployed its Special Forces Operatives to Nasarawa to boost internal security in the State and the North-Central zone of the country.

    The troops were deployed to tackle the emerging security challenges, such as banditry, cattle rustlings and farmers and herders clash in the zone.

    The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who addressed the troops in Lafia, urged them to be professional in their conduct.

    “I urged you to be professional and uphold the core NAF values of integrity, service before self and excellence in all you do,” he said.

    Abubakar, who was represented by AVM Charles Ohwo, the Air Officer Commanding Special Operations Command, told the Special Forces that they were deployed to complement and add value to the already existing security apparatus on ground.

    “You must cooperate with Operation Whirl Stroke. Your deployment not only for Lafia, but for the North -Central,” he said.

    The air chief appreciated the Nasarawa government for the provision of the facility provided for the establishment of the 22 Quick Response Wing in Lafia.

    Abubakar urged the government of Nasarawa to put in place a Refueling facilities to enable helicopters easy access for refueling as they advance for operations.

    Speaking to newsmen, Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for the quick response to the security challenges of the state.

    According to the governor, the response came just three days after he called for help from the Federal Government.

    Sule gave the assurance that the state would support the troops to ensure that all forms of crimes were eliminated from the State.

  • COVID-19 palliatives: NAF distributes oxygen to isolation centres nationwide

    COVID-19 palliatives: NAF distributes oxygen to isolation centres nationwide

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has began the distribution of oxygen to isolation centres and designated hospitals across the country to boost the fight against the novel Coronavirus disease aka COVID-19

    Defence Attache to Russia AVM OA Adesanya disclosed this on his Twitter handle; @AVM_OA_Adesanya on Monday.

    “I’m glad to note that the Nigerian Airforce has started distributing the oxygen being produced at it’s Liquid Oxygen Plant to isolation centres and designated hospitals across the country in support of the national response to #COVID-19 pandemic. Kudos to @NigAirForce”. Adesanya twitted

    TNG recalled that NAF promised to help the country in the management of the pandemic since it broke out.

    The NAF produced large quantities of oxygen from its Liquid Oxygen Plants which are now being distributed across the country.

    Another statement from the Nigerian Airforce dated April 10, 2020 stated that “Aside the production and distribution of the oxygen, the NAF’s tailoring unit has also embarked in the production of personal protective equipment (PPE) and masks for healthcare workers and frontline officials in Port Harcourt (PHC).”

    “The service has continuously airlifted healthcare personnel, equipment and supplies across the country following the closure of airports, as well as brought back experts of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) who were trapped in Congo Brazzaville.” The statement added.

  • Insecurity: Buhari inducts NAF’s combat helicopters, says Nigeria remains regional power

    President Muhammadu Buhari has said that Nigeria remains a regional power despite internal security challenges bedevilling the country.

    He said that Nigeria’s role in restoring peace within the African sub region has shown that maintained strong military capabilities.

    Buhari spoke at the official induction of Nigerian Air Force Helicopters at the Eagle Square Abuja.

    Recall that the aircraft were initially scheduled for induction on 28 January by President Muhammadu Buhari but was re-scheduled for February 6, 2020.

    NAF took delivery of the two new Augusta 109 Westland Attack helicopters into combat operations on 15 January. This increases to four the Augusta 109 attack helicopters procured by the federal government.

    One of the The Agusta helicopters

    Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information had said after induction, the two new helicopters would be deployed to theatres of operation across the country to reinforce NAF capability in the fight against insurgency and other forms of criminality.

    More details later…

  • Air operation aims to degrade Boko Haram – CAS

    The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, says the service has fully begun air operation code named “Operation Rattle Snake’’ to finally wipe out remnant of Boko Haram insurgents in the North East.

    Abuabakar stated this on Wednesday during an operational visit to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), 105 Composite Command in Maiduguri.

    He said the visit was to appraise the progress of the operation, interact with personnel and encourage them in the execution of the air campaign against the insurgents.

    “The idea of the operation Rattle Snake is to further deal with the issue of terrorism in the northeast and give necessary support to the ground troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD) and Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

    “From the briefs; I am happy with the progress so far made, we have identified a number of targets, neutralised them and it will continue.

    “The rate of efforts now is much more than what we used to have in other operations. We have quite a number of airplanes and many more will be deployed to support the operation.

    “The idea is to take full advantage of the situation on ground to degrade Boko Haram insurgents and ensure a secured country,” Abubakar said.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NAF on Dec. 10 launched the operation Rattle Snake against Boko Haram terrorists hibernating in the fringes of Sambisa Forest and Lake Chad basin.

    The campaign targets selected locations in the region to further degrade remnants of the insurgents.

  • Sokoto killings: NAF condoles government, victims families

    Sokoto killings: NAF condoles government, victims families

    The Nigeria Air Force delegation has visited Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto and the family of the victims allegedly killed by some air force personnel.

    This is contained in a statement by Tambuwal’s spokesman, Malam Muhammad Bello in Sokoto on Wednesday.

    “The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadiq Abubakar, on Wednesday sent a delegation to the state to commiserate with the government and the people of Sokoto.

    “Led by Air Vice Marshal Charles Ohwo, the NAF team met the Governor in Sokoto to express their heartfelt sympathy to him and the people of Sokoto state.

    “This is over the tragedy at Mabera quarters in Sokoto South Local Government Area of the state capital late Sunday,” he said.

    NAN reports that a number of persons were killed and some injured during a fracas which led to the intervention of men of the Nigeria Air Force in Sokoto.

    The force has also commenced investigation into the incidence to determine culpability or otherwise of its personnel.

  • NAF wings first female fighter pilot, helicopter pilot

    NAF wings first female fighter pilot, helicopter pilot

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Tuesday in Abuja winged its first female fighter pilot, first female helicopter pilot and first female Air Warrant Officer.

    The first female fighter (combatant) pilot winged is Flying Officer Kafayat Sanni and first female helicopter pilot, Tolulope Arotile.

    They were the two female pilots among the 13 that were winged.

    The two female pilots had successfully completed their pilot training courses in United States of America and South Africa.

    The newly promoted first female Air Warrant Officer, Grace Garba was also decorated with her new rank.

    Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said the 13 pilots qualified for the award of the NAF prestigious Wing.

    “Today indeed marks another milestone in the history of the NAF and I am gratified to be part of it.

    “I am particularly happy because out of the 13 pilots to be winged are two female Regular Combatant officers.

    “They are not only female officers but outstanding aviators.

    “While one of the two pilots is the first female fighter pilot in the 55 years history of the NAF, the second one is the first female combat helicopter pilot.

    “The first female fighter pilot trained at the United States Air Force following an excellent performance during her initial flying training course at 401 Flying Training School in Kaduna.

    “While the second graduated from Starlite International Training Academy. They both performed excellently well during their training.

    “Our records indicate that as at today, we have trained a total of 67 Instructor pilots since 2015.

    “Furthermore, with the winging of these pilots today, the NAF would have winged a total of 101 pilots within the same period.

    “Currently, we have 61 pilots undergoing basic flying training, while 50 are undergoing various forms of advanced flying training courses both locally and abroad.

    “As such we are highly delighted to see the rewards of our collective efforts.

    “I am confident that the NAF and indeed Nigeria will soon be reaping the benefits that these pilots would undoubtedly add to our operations,’’ he said.

    Dame Pauline Tallen, the minister of Women Affairs, who graced the occasion, expressed happiness to be part of the event.

    Tallen congratulated the female pilots, and the Air Warrant Officer for the feat, saying that history had been made.

    Speaking to newsmen, Flying officer Sanni, said she would play her part in the ongoing counter insurgency operations in the North East.

  • NAF destroy insurgents’ logistics base, training camp in Borno

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has destroyed a major Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) Logistics Base and Training Camp at Kusuma on the fringes of Lake Chad in Borno.

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

    Daramola said the operation was executed on Wednesday by the Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE.

    ” The air strike was executed after credible intelligence reports had established that a section of the settlement was serving as a training camp for the terrorists.

    ” While, some buildings within the camp were being used to store their fuel, arms and ammunition as well as other logistics supplies.

    ” The pre-attack surveillance showed scores of fighters attempting to flee the location upon hearing the sound of the attack aircraft.

    ” They were engaged by the attack aircraft in successive passes, neutralising many of them.

    ” The terrorists’ logistics supply store, which was also hit, was seen engulfed in flames due to the raid,” he said.

    The spokesman said the NAF, operating in concert with surface forces, would sustain its efforts to completely destroy all remnants of the terrorists in the North East.

  • NAF appoints new branch chiefs, redeploys other senior officers

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has appointed new Branch Chiefs, redeployed two Air Officers Commanding (AOCs) and other senior officers.
    Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information announced this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
    Daramola described the appointment and redeployment as routine exercise aimed at ensuring operational efficiency and effectiveness.
    He named the newly appointed branch chiefs as erstwhile Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Special Operations Command (SOC), AVM Napoleon Bali, who is now the Chief of Policy and Plans (COPP) NAF Headquarters.
    According to him, AVM Paul Dimfwina is now the Chief of Communication Information Systems (CCIS), HQ NAF.
    “The new AOCs include the former Commander Air Task Force (ATF), Operation Lafiya Dole, AVM James Gwani who has been moved to SOC, Bauchi as AOC and AVM Charles Ohwo appointed as AOC Tactical Air Command (TAC), Makurdi.
    Also redeployed are AVM John Baba as Chairman Air Expo and International Liaison Secretariat, AVM Idi Lubo, Director of Operations at NAF headquarters, AVM Christopher Umolu, Coordinator Project Implementation and Monitoring Team HQ NAF and AVM Maxwell Nnaji, Director of Safety Manual, Defence Headquarters.
    The spokesman said Air Commodore Precious Amadi is now the Commander ATF Operation Lafiya Dole.
    All the appointments will take effect from July 19.

  • Borno: NAF destroys insurgents’ hideouts in Gobara, Bakassi

    Borno: NAF destroys insurgents’ hideouts in Gobara, Bakassi

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says its Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has destroyed terrorists’ hideouts and killed some fighters at Gobara and Bakassi in Borno.

    Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, added that the operation was conducted on Friday in separate air raids.

    According to Daramola, the settlements were two of the targets selected for attack in the intensive air interdiction operations launched by the ATF on Wednesday.

    He explained that the attack on Gobara, a settlement in the Sambisa Forest area, was carried out by two Alpha Jets after Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions had identified a segment of the settlement being used by Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) fighters to store their logistics and other equipment.

    “The jets scored accurate hits in the target area, leading to the destruction of some of the structures and equipment as well as the killing of several terrorists.

    ” In a similar vein, another active camp belonging to Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements located at Bakassi on the fringes of Lake Chad in Northern Borno, was successfully attacked and several terrorists killed in air strikes carried out later in the day.

    ” Overhead the target area, the NAF ISR platform observed significant presence of ISWAP fighters who were attempting to flee the location, upon hearing the sound of the aircraft.

    ” The attack platforms were vectored to the area of concentration of the terrorists, unleashing their munitions on the target and causing significant damage to the camp and neutralising many terrorists,” he said.