NAF Commences Aerial Bombardments – PRNigeria News

Zamfara

Zamfara Banditry: NAF Commences Aerial
Bombardments
See Video: video link: https://youtu.be/z3hFr6U9pzk^[1]

The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation DIRAN MIKIYA has
successfully neutralized an armed bandits hideout at a compound
West of Tsamari in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area (LGA) of
Zamfara State.

The attack was conducted at dawn on 28 December 2018 following
intelligence reports indicating that the compound was being used by
the armed bandits as a camp from where they launch attacks against
innocent civilians.

Accordingly, the ATF detailed a Nigerian Air Force (NAF)
Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, which
confirmed the presence of bandits armed with high calibre weapons
at the location.

Consequently, an Alpha Jet aircraft was dispatched to strike the
compound, recording direct hits on the target area and resulting in
significant damage to the structures and neutralization of some
bandits, as later confirmed by credible human intelligence
sources.

Surface troops later invaded the compound and recovered some
motorcycles abandoned by the fleeing criminals.

The ATF, working in concert with surface forces and other
security agencies, will continue to conduct reconnaissance and air
interdiction missions with a view to restoring normalcy to the
affected States in the Northwest.

It would also be highly appreciated if the attached short video
clip, which is now declassified, is shown to the general public for
them to witness parts of the operations.

Meanwhile, in furtherance of the commitment of the Nigerian Air
Force (NAF) to ensure availability of more serviceable platforms
for the prosecution of the ongoing war against insurgency and other
forms of criminality in the country, the Chief of the Air Staff
(CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, yesterday, 29 December 2018,
during his operational visit to 115 Special Operations Group (115
SOG) Port Harcourt, inspected the ongoing in-house reactivation
works on Mi-35P and EC-135 helicopters.

Upon completion in the first quarter of 2019, the reactivated
aircraft would be available for deployment to enhance NAF
operational efficiency in the discharge of its constitutional
roles.

The operational visit to 115 SOG was one of the series of visits
by the CAS to NAF units across the country to assess the
operational readiness in tackling emerging security challenges as
well as progress of work on the reactivation of various
platforms.

The CAS, who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans
(COPP) NAF Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Muhammodu Muhammed,
was conducted on an inspection tour of the completed Base Defence
Coordination Centre (BDCC) by the Commander 115 SOG, Air Commodore
Elijah Ebiowe.

He also commissioned a new block of 18 single-bedroom Corporals
and Below Quarters. The BDCC, which is equipped with communications
and surveillance equipment to boost the operational capacity of the
Unit in the area of intelligence gathering and real time
coordination of the Base Defence Plan, would also help in timely
response to security exigencies within the Unit’s Area of
Responsibility (AOR).

While speaking during the visit, the CAS stated that the current
NAF administration places high premium on the welfare needs of
personnel, as evidenced by the various projects embarked upon
across NAF units to meet accommodation and other welfare needs. Air
Marshal Abubakar thanked the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed
Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, for providing a conducive
environment for the Service to function effectively and
efficiently.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC)
Tactical Air Command (TAC), AVM Oladayo Amao, thanked the CAS for
providing the human and material resources to accomplish numerous
projects in NAF Base Port Harcourt.

According to him, the CAS’ footprints were clearly visible
throughout the entire TAC with the completion of several other
projects, in addition to ongoing ones. “I can assure you that,
these and other projects in 115 SOG are only a fraction of the
overall efforts by the CAS to improve the well-being of our
increasing number of personnel in various NAF Bases across the
country. We are grateful for the guidance and strategic direction
from Headquarters NAF in the areas of infrastructural development
and operational efficiency”, he said.

IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force