Zamfara Banditry: NAF Commences Aerial Bombardments

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

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