Finally, NAF
Finally, NAF Deploys Special Forces to Southern
Kaduna
As part of efforts to support ongoing operations in the North
Western Zone of the country, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) today, 16
August 2020, deployed Special Forces (SF) operatives to Southern
Kaduna. The SF Team, led by the Commander of the 403 Force
Protection Group (403 FPG), Squadron Leader Richard Ngaro, was
airlifted by a NAF Mi-171E Helicopter from NAF Base Kaduna to
Kafanchan, where they were received by the Commander Sector 7 of
Operation SAFE HAVEN, Colonel David Nwakonobi, to join the
contingent of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) SF personnel already
deployed to the area.
In his address to the troops during the deployment, the Chief of
the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who was
represented by the Air Officer Commanding Air Training Command (AOC
ATC), Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Musa Mukhtar, noted that the
deployment was in line with DHQ Directives to beef up Operation
SAFE HAVEN. The CAS charged the SF personnel to maintain the high
level of discipline that the NAF is known for, whilst always
upholding the NAF’s core values of ‘Integrity’, ‘Service before
Self’ and ‘Excellence’ as they carry out their assigned tasks. He
equally reminded them to ensure they respect the human rights and
personal freedoms of all law-abiding citizens in the course of
performing their duties.
Speaking to the Press, the Representative of the CAS, stated
that the NAF SF Team were additional elements to augment the DHQ SF
personnel already deployed to beef up Sector 7 of Operation SAFE
HAVEN in Southern Kaduna. “The deployment would last as long as
necessary until lasting peace is restored. We also have Operation
THUNDER STRIKE, which is domiciled in Kaduna to take care of the
North West axis, with the Air Component Commander coordinating the
air power aspect from Kaduna in support of ground operations in
Southern Kaduna”, he added.
He further disclosed that, as part of efforts to enhance
Civil-Military relations, a NAF Medical Team would arrive Southern
Kaduna in the next few days to conduct medical outreach to provide
healthcare services to displaced persons and others affected by the
crisis. While highlighting that the military was in the State to
assist the civil populace, the CAS called on the residents of
Southern Kaduna to cooperate with the Commander Operation SAFE
HAVEN and his troops by providing credible information that would
facilitate the effective conduct of their operations.
IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force
16 August 2020