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  • Banditry: NAF dares Zamfara monarchs to show pictures, corpses of dead civilians

    Banditry: NAF dares Zamfara monarchs to show pictures, corpses of dead civilians

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reacted to allegations that its stings against rampaging bandits in Zamfara were on innocent civilians, challenging anyone with evidence that civilians were targeted during its recent strikes to produce evidence.

    Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, made the request in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    Daramola said the NAF finds it mischievous that anyone would spread such deliberate misinformation whilst the Service is doing its best to effectively respond to the challenges facing the good people of Zamfara and its environs.

    He was reacting to some reports insinuating that the recent air strikes conducted by its Air Task Force for Operation DIRAN MIKIYA killed only innocent civilians in the areas attacked and not bandits.

    “The attention of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been drawn to some media reports insinuating that the recent air strikes conducted by its Air Task Force for Operation DIRAN MIKIYA killed only innocent civilians in the areas attacked and not bandits,” the statement read.

    “The NAF finds such reports rather ridiculous because most of the locations attacked are within the Rugu, Sububu and Kagara Forests general area, which are known bandits hideouts that have been attacked in the past, without any outcry.

    “Besides, the NAF target selection process for air operations is particularly rigorous and methodical in order to ensure proper target identification and thereby prevent strikes on wrong locations.”

    According to him, the locations attacked from April 8 to 11 are selected based on human intelligence (HUMINT) reports obtained from security agencies and other government sources, traditional and community leaders as well as reliable, vetted informants.

    “In addition, NAF also has Special Forces (SF) personnel operating in some of the areas attacked, who provided additional intelligence.

    “These were all further confirmed by days of detailed day and night Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions to ensure proper targeting for avoidance of collateral damage,” he said.

    The spokesman said to further ensure this, as standard practice, NAF attack aircraft on air interdiction missions were accompanied by ISR platforms that guided them to designated targets.

    According to him, NAF pilots, by training and in line with extant Rules of Engagement (ROEs) for the operation, do not attack any location if it is observed that non-combatants, especially women and children, are present.

    “In such cases, the pilots would rather return to Base with their munitions unexpended. Consequently, it is inconceivable that the NAF would attack locations where innocent civilians reside.

    “In view of the foregoing, the NAF finds it rather mischievous that anyone would spread such deliberate misinformation whilst the Service is doing its best to effectively respond to the challenges facing the good people of Zamfara and its environs.

    “Rather than making such spurious and unsubstantiated allegations, NAF requests that anyone with evidence to the effect that innocent civilians were targeted by the NAF air strikes should produce such evidence,” he said.

  • Banditry: NAF’s airstrike operations killing ‘innocent’ citizens – Zamfara monarchs

    Zamfara Council of Chiefs on Thursday said many innocent villagers have been killed in misdirected air strikes by the military in the ongoing fight against bandits in the state.

    The Emir of Bungudu, Alhaji Hassan Attahiru made the disclosure at the end of an emergency meeting of the council, on Thursday in Gusau.

    “The Council noted that airstrikes undertaken by the military do not hit the main camps of the bandits.

    “Reports from Mutu in Gusau and Tsafe Local government areas, Tangaram in Anka local government and Dumburum in Zurmi local area among others are that the areas shelled were not the actual hideouts of the bandits and the victims were innocent civilians.”

    The council said that efforts to end banditry in the state would only be achieved “if the main camps of the bandits are taken over and security personnel stationed there for a considerable period of time.

    “This will deprive the bandits territory, mobility and supply routes, thus securing all surrounding areas.”

    On the recent allegation of connivance with bandits by some traditional rulers made by Defence Minister, Mansur Dan’Ali, the council challenged the minister to immediately name the traditional rulers or withdraw the statement.

    “Failure to do this will make his statement false and an attempt to tarnish the image of the traditional rulers and thereby making them scapegoats for the inability of the military and other security forces to end the scourge.”

    The council maintained that the traditional rulers had always cooperated with government and security agencies in providing information on location, routes and names of persons engaged in such criminal activities.

    “Unfortunately, the military and other security agencies have failed to be on top of the situation.

    “We will not shield anyone and we will want any suspect however highly placed to be arrested and prosecuted, ” the council maintained.

    Recall that the state government had late last year suspended seven district heads with one other still on the run over alleged conspiracy with bandits in the state.

    The meeting, chaired by council Chairman and Emir of Anka,Alhaji Ahmad Muhammad, was attended by all the emirs in the state.

  • NAF wants evidence on alleged bombing of wrong targets

    NAF wants evidence on alleged bombing of wrong targets

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has called on anyone with evidence that innocent civilians were targeted by the NAF during its recent air strikes in Zamfara, to produce such evidence.

    Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, made the request in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    He urged anyone with such evidence to produce it.

    Daramola said the NAF finds it mischievous that anyone would spread such deliberate misinformation whilst the Service is doing its best to effectively respond to the challenges facing the good people of Zamfara and its environs.

    The NAF was reacting to some media reports insinuating that the recent air strikes conducted by its Air Task Force for Operation DIRAN MIKIYA killed only innocent civilians in the areas attacked and not bandits.

    ” The attention of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been drawn to some media reports insinuating that the recent air strikes conducted by its Air Task Force for Operation DIRAN MIKIYA killed only innocent civilians in the areas attacked and not bandits.

    ” The NAF finds such reports rather ridiculous because most of the locations attacked are within the Rugu, Sububu and Kagara Forests general area, which are known bandits hideouts that have been attacked in the past, without any outcry.

    ” Besides, the NAF target selection process for air operations is particularly rigorous and methodical in order to ensure proper target identification and thereby prevent strikes on wrong locations,” he said.

    According to him, the locations attacked from April 8 to 11 are selected based on human intelligence (HUMINT) reports obtained from security agencies and other government sources, traditional and community leaders as well as reliable, vetted informants.

    ” In addition, NAF also has Special Forces (SF) personnel operating in some of the areas attacked, who provided additional intelligence.

    ” These were all further confirmed by days of detailed day and night Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions to ensure proper targeting for avoidance of collateral damage,” he said.

    The spokesman said to further ensure this, as standard practice, NAF attack aircraft on air interdiction missions were accompanied by ISR platforms that guided them to designated targets.

    According to him, NAF pilots, by training and in line with extant Rules of Engagement (ROEs) for the operation, do not attack any location if it is observed that non-combatants, especially women and children, are present.

    ” In such cases, the pilots would rather return to Base with their munitions unexpended.

    ” Consequently, it is inconceivable that the NAF would attack locations where innocent civilians reside.

    ” In view of the foregoing, the NAF finds it rather mischievous that anyone would spread such deliberate misinformation whilst the Service is doing its best to effectively respond to the challenges facing the good people of Zamfara and its environs.

    ” Rather than making such spurious and unsubstantiated allegations, NAF requests that anyone with evidence to the effect that innocent civilians were targeted by the NAF air strikes should produce such evidence,” he said.

    Daramola said the NAF, as a professional Service, would not want to join issues with any group of individuals, including traditional rulers, but will rather remain committed to ensuring the safety and security of all Nigerians.

    Accordingly, he said NAF would continue to work assiduously, in synergy with sister Services and other security agencies, to rid the North West of all criminal elements.

    He assured the general public that the NAF would not be deterred but would sustain its air operations to facilitate a return to normalcy that would enable Nigerians in the area pursue their legitimate aspirations.

    ” In this regard, the NAF hereby advocates public support, and not distracting and unsubstantiated allegations, as its personnel continue to sacrifice towards eliminating all threats to the security and, indeed, the development of our beloved Country,” he said.

  • Sad! NAF helicopter blade kills personnel in Borno

    Sad! NAF helicopter blade kills personnel in Borno

    Umaru Abdul-Ganimu, an aircraft man has been killed by the blade of the Nigerian Air Force helicopter in the Bama area of Borno State.

    The personnel, who was said to be actively involved in the counter-insurgency Operation Lafiya Dole, was said to be passing through the side of the operational rotor on Saturday when the blade hit his head.

     

    According to reports the ACM was supposed to give directions for the landing helicopter when he was accidentally hit by the tail rotor and died instantly.

    His family members were contacted by the NAF authorities and his body was removed for burial at the Maimalari Military Cemetery in Maiduguri, the state capital.

    A military source said, “You know, he was one of the finest personnel in Bama and when you go for a lot of insurgency operations like that, you sometimes tend to forget what you are doing. He subconsciously moved towards the tail rotor and the damage was immediate.

     

    “It is regrettable but this is not what the military wants to talk about. It is very painful.”

    In the interim, the aircraft was taken back to the airbase in Bama without any damage to its tail rotor.

     

  • NAF destroys bandits’ logistics Base in Zamfara

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the Air Task Force (ATF) for Operation DIRAN MIKIYA has successfully destroyed a bandits’ logistics base at Ajia in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara.

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

    He said the ATF also neutralised dozens of the bandits at Ajia and Wonaka in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara.

    Daramola explained that the operation was executed sequel to Human Intelligence (HUMINT) reports indicating that the bandits were using a compound within Ajia as a logistics store to support their operations.

    “Consequently, the ATF dispatched a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet, supported by an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform, to attack the compound scoring accurate strikes on the target and causing it to erupt into flames, which engulfed the structures and resulted in the neutralisation of some of the bandits,” he said.

    The spokesman said few survivors, seen fleeing the vicinity of the target area, were taken out in follow-on attacks while others, who managed to escape the area, were tracked to Wonaka and equally neutralised.

    “Independent HUMINT sources subsequently confirmed that more than 25 bandits were neutralised in the attacks on the two locations.

    “The NAF, working in close coordination with sister Services and other security agencies, will sustain its operations to neutralise the bandits and deny them freedom of action in the North West,” he said.

  • Flogging of suspected bandits unacceptable – NAF

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has condemned the reported flogging and physical assault of suspected bandits by some military personnel in Zamfara, as totally unacceptable.

    NAF’s spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, condemned the action in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    ” The attention of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been drawn to a video and some pictures circulating on some social media and online platforms showing some military personnel flogging suspected armed bandits at Shinkafi Local Government Area (LGA) in Zamfara State.

    ” The NAF has discovered that some of its personnel were part of the joint team stationed at the Galadi Sub-Sector at the time.

    ” The NAF wishes to state unequivocally that the troops’ actions of flogging and physically assaulting the disarmed suspects were totally unacceptable and not in consonance with the Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) guiding the conduct of the operation.

    ” Our personnel have always been directed to respect the rights of innocent civilians as well as captured combatants, no matter the provocation.

    ” The joint team had, sequel to intelligence reports, intercepted a group of suspected armed bandits, including some fighters from across the border, at their Sububu Forest hideout whilst they were on the verge of executing an attack against innocent civilians in Shinkafi.

    ” In the process, the team recovered one AK-47 rifle along with 3 loaded magazines and 3 dane guns from the bandits.

    ” In an effort to obtain further information on the criminals’ plans and the location of their armoury, the troops employed unauthorized, crude corporal methods.

    ” The public is to please note that the NAF has zero tolerance for such human rights violations and has since initiated appropriate action to address the anomaly.

    ” In this regard, a Board of Inquiry (BOI) has been set up by the Headquarters Special Operations Command (HQ SOC) to determine the remote and immediate causes of the incident with a view to ensuring that appropriate disciplinary action is taken against all NAF personnel found culpable.”

    The spokesman said the public would be kept informed on the outcome of the investigations.

    He said the NAF, as an organisation, remained a professional fighting force that would continue to operate within the ambits of all relevant laws and procedures.

    Daramola said the NAF would also continue to operate in line with international best practices, while remaining fully accountable to the Nigerian people.

  • We are equal to securing Nigeria – NAF

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has assured Nigerians of adequate security in the country, saying that NAF had the capacity to surmmont any security challenge in the country, whenever it might arise.

    Air Commodore Muyiwa Adedoyin, Commander, 671 NAF detachment, Ibadan gave the assurance on Saturday during the First Quarterly Route Match of the command in Ibadan.

    Adedoyin said his men were equal to the task and would continue to ensure that effective security for Nigerians as empowered by the Constitution.

    He said the purpose of the exercis was to keep the personnel fit “because a man behind the weapon must be fit in order to prevent accident.“

    “As military men fitness is a way of life for us and it makes sense to be fit to be able to defend the country.

    “As military men, no matter the sophistication of our weapon whether on the ground on in the air, we need a fit mind and body to be able to execute our function,” Adedoyin said.

    He called on the personnel to always engage in exercise in order to keep fit so as to avoid running to medical centre for treatment.

  • NAF to support personnel with medical challenges – Abubakar

    The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, says the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will continue to support its member in “every possible ways” to tackle their medical challenges.

    Abubakar said in a statement issued in Abuja by Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, the NAF’s spokesman after he presented a specialised (Motorised) wheel chair to a paralysed retired officer, Flt. Lt. Dauda Philip.

    He applauds the retired officer for his dedicated service to the NAF and the nation at large.

    “The service would continue to assist its personnel, whether they are serving or retired, we are assuring Philip that the Service would assist him in any way possible to make life comfortable for him,’’Abubakar said.

    According to him, the specialised wheelchair was purchased at a cost of 16,577.10 Pounds Sterling.

    At the presentation, Philip expressed profound appreciation to the NAF for his magnanimity.

    The statement quoted Philip as saying “God has used you to acquire this wheelchair for me, which was promised before you took over the affairs of the NAF.

    “I am really grateful for the provision of the wheelchair as it would improve my quality of life.” the elated retired officer said.

    Present at the ceremony were the wife of the retired officer, Mrs Naomi Philip, as well as the Chief of Administration, AVM Kingsley Lar.

    Others were the Chief of Medical Services, Air Commodore Mohammed Shaibu and other senior officers and staff at the NAF Headquarters.

    Daramola said, “The retired officer was involved in a road traffic accident on Sept.13, 2008, in which he sustained a spinal cord injury that left him paralysed.

    “In spite of being treated within the country and he was evacuated for advanced care in Egypt and India by the NAF, Philip eventually lost total use of his upper and lower limbs.

    “The Philip was subsequently retired from the NAF on Dec.4 2014 with a recommendation that a motorised wheelchair should be provided to aid his movement in retirement.

    “However, this was not done, which prompted the retired officer to appeal to the present CAS for the provision of a wheelchair, the CAS, who was hitherto unaware of his predicament, swiftly approved the recommendation and the specialised wheelchair was ordered.”

    NAF inaugurated a new guest house for its personnel at the NAF Officers’ Mess (NAFOM) NAF Base, Bill Clinton Drive, Abuja on Wednesday.

    Daramola said that the new guest house would meet the lodging needs of officers visiting Abuja.

  • ‘How Ex-Air chief got N6b from NAF funds’

    The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday heard that former Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Chief of Accounts and Budgeting, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun, admitted to have received N6billion from NAF for his personal benefit.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned him along with former Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Adesola Amosu and a former Director of Finance and Budget, Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo.

    EFCC said the three, on or about March 5, 2014 in Lagos, conspired to convert N21,467,634,707.43, property of NAF, which sum they reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activities to wit: criminal breach of trust.

    An EFCC investigator, Tosin Owobo, led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that Adigun made a statement at EFCC, which was tendered in court.

    He said the second defendant disclosed in his statement that he incorporated Delfina Oil and Gas, Hebron Housing Limited, Mcallam Oil and Gas, Trapezites BDC Limited.

    Owobo added: “He said he is the sole signatory to the accounts of the companies.

    “He said the names of the directors are all pseudonyms and not names of any member of his family.

    “In his statement, he wrote that out of about N16.9billion inflow from the Nigeria Air Force related accounts into his companies, he only benefited about N6billion

    “He said the chief of Air Staff and others would account for theirs.

    “He also stated that the whole money was not shared, as some jobs were executed.

    “He further wrote in his statement that he would be willing to let go of properties worth the sums of money he benefited.”

    When asked to state how he came about Trapezites Bureau de Change Limited and his findings, the witness said upon analysis of Trapezites’ statement of accounts, it was discovered that about N3.6billion was received from various NAF accounts.

    They are NAF Jet A1 Training account, NAF Air Men Subsidy account, NAF Special Emergency Operations account, HQ NAF Camp Operations account, UCA NAF 37 Operations account and 106 NAF Camp Training account.

  • NAF deploys surveillance aircraft to monitor election

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it is deploying surveillance aircraft to potential flashpoints across the country for security of lives and property during general elections which commences tomorrow with the presidential and national assembly polls.

    The surveillance aircraft are in addition to those assigned for support operations during the elections, according to the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

    Abubakar, at a meeting with Principal Staff Officers and Air Officers Commanding (AOCs) of the six NAF Field Commands in Abuja, said the surveillance aircraft would provide real-time imagery intelligence that would be streamed live to the HQ NAF Situation Room as well as Command Situation/Operations Rooms across the country.

    He stressed the need for all officers and men to remain apolitical in the course of their duties, and resist any entreaty by individuals who are more concerned about their personal interests than the nation’s interests.

    He also urged them to work very closely with other security agencies to ensure that no individual or group of individuals undermine the electoral process.

    He warned that Commanders would be held personally responsible for any lapses.

    The Director of Public Relations and Information of the Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said the force is working in conjunction with the Police and other security agencies to “ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians before, during and after the elections.”