How Military Aircraft Dropped Bombs, Rockets on Boko Haram in Mainyakare

How Military Aircraft Dropped Bombs, Rockets on Boko Haram in Mainyakare
Videolink: https://youtu.be/gZGIvzSXQUs

In what can only be described as a precision strike, the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has obliterated a Boko Haram Terrorists’ (BHTs’) meeting venue, along with other structures, and neutralized several of their fighters at Mainyakare on the fringes of the Sambisa Forest in Borno State. The air interdiction mission was executed yesterday, 2 July 2020, to mark the launch of subsidiary Operation LONG REACH II, after series of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions had established that a prominent building in the middle of the settlement was being used as a meeting venue, where the terrorists plan and launch attacks as well as house some of their fighters.

Consequently, the ATF dispatched a force package of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets to attack the location. The first jet in the first wave of attack recorded a precision bomb strike on the designated target, completely destroying it. Other compounds, which were also designated for destruction, were taken out by subsequent passes of the NAF fighter jets. Many of the BHTs were also killed as a result of the air strikes.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who is in Maiduguri to personally oversee the conduct of Operation LONG REACH II, has commended the ATF for their dedication, dexterity and professionalism. The Defence Headquarters equally urges them to intensify the air offensive against the terrorists and all other criminal elements threatening the peace and security of our beloved country.

Meanwhile, in continuation of reinvigorated, intensive clearance operations aimed at decisively curtailing armed banditry and other forms of criminality in the North Central and North-West regions of the country, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN have neutralized some notorious armed robbers around Rock Haven general area in Jos North LGA of Plateau State.

Sequel to actionable intelligence on the activities of a notorious armed robbery gang around Rock Haven general area in Jos North LGA of Plateau State on 2 July 2020, troops deployed tactically to the locality and engaged the robbers with superior firepower. Consequently, 2 of the criminals were neutralized while others fled in disarray, many with fatal bullet wounds. The corpses of the robbers, along with 2 locally fabricated pistols recovered, and other items stolen from their victims, have been handed over to the Nigerian Police authorities in Jos for further action.

The High Command of the Armed Forces of Nigeria congratulates the gallant troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN for their dexterity and professionalism and encourages them to remain resolute in curtailing the activities of criminals in the North Central Zone of the Country.

JOHN ENENCHE
Major General
Coordinator
Defence Media Operations
Defence Headquarters
3 July 2020
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NAF Receives Newly Reactivated Intelligence Aircraft

In furtherance of its sustained efforts at ensuring availability of more serviceable Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms for prosecution of the war against insurgency and other forms of criminality in the Country, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) today, 3 July 2020, took delivery of another reactivated aircraft, an ATR-42 (NAF 930). The aircraft was received at the flight line of 307 Executive Airlift Group, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal Oladayo Amao, on behalf of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who is currently in the Northeast to oversee the ongoing subsidiary Operation LONG REACH II.

The reactivation of the aircraft, which was successfully executed at the Rheinland Air Services (RAS) Facilities, Monchengladbach, Germany after clocking 5,000 hours of operation, was earlier scheduled to be completed within 6 months. However, due to the effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the completion date was extended by 3 months.

It would be recalled that, over the last 5 years, the NAF, in collaboration with its technical partners, has successfully reactivated some of its platforms in-country, including the conduct of Periodic Depot Maintenance (PDM) on 2 C-130H aircraft as well as the PDM/Avionics upgrade of 3 Alpha Jets. However, being the first PDM on the ATR-42 aircraft (NAF 930) after 10 years of operation, it was considered expedient to conduct this major maintenance activity abroad to take advantage of the facilities and expertise of RAS as well as build the capacity of the NAF Engineers and Technicians that participated in the reactivation process in Germany.

Other dignitaries present to receive the newly reactivated aircraft were the Director of Operations, AVM Ayoola Jolasinmi, Director of Air Engineering, AVM Isah Muhammad, and the Commander 307 EAG, Air Commodore Francis Edosa.

IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force
3 July 2020