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NAF Confirms Helicopter Crash In Niger State
A Nigerian Air Force MI-171 Helicopter on a casualty evacuation mission crashed on Monday near Chukuba Village in Niger State.
NAF spokesman, Edward Gabkwet, confirmed the accident in a statement.
The accident happened at about 1pm and the number of persons onboard or their state were unknown as of press time.
“The aircraft had departed Zungeru Primary School enroute Kaduna but was later discovered to have crashed near Chukuba Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
“Efforts are currently ongoing to rescue the crew and passengers on board the helicopter, while preliminary investigations have commenced to determine the probable cause of the crash,” the statement added.
On February 22, 2021, seven NAF personnel on their way from Abuja to Minna, the Niger State capital, died when their plane crashed after takeoff from the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.
August 15, 2023
Fake News: NAF Spokesperson Dismisses Online Recruitment Application
The Nigerian Air Force has dismissed a NAF recruitment advert being circulated on social media platforms as fake and an attempt to defraud applicants.
A statement by the NAF Director, Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, on Monday in Abuja, said “NAF is not recruiting”, and warned applicants not to fall prey to fraudsters.
Gabkwet said the advertisement did not emanate from the NAF and reminded Nigerians that the service recently graduated recruits of Basic Military Training Course 43/2022, on July 8.
According to him, members of the public would be adequately informed whenever NAF is recruiting.
“The public is once again reminded that the recruitment and selection process into the NAF is free and without any form of gratification. Anyone who pays money under any guise does so at his or her own risk.
Furthermore, the NAF recruitment process is devoid of recruitment agents, hence, anyone who claims to be operating in such capacity on behalf of the NAF is a fraudster.
“The NAF wishes to advise prospective applicants to promptly report anyone who solicits payments to the nearest NAF Unit or the Nigeria Police Force,” he said.
July 24, 2023
NAF Air Craft Crashes In Benue
A Nigerian Air Force FT-7NI trainer aircraft has crashed in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
Reports have it that the incident happened on Friday evening, while on a routine training exercise.
The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, confirmed this in a statement on Friday.
He said two pilots onboard the aircraft survived and were being observed in a military facility.
“Luckily, the two pilots on board survived the crash after successfully ejecting from the aircraft. Additionally, there was no loss of lives or damage to any property around the area of impact.
“Both pilots are currently under observation at NAF Base Hospital, Makurdi. Meanwhile, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has constituted a Board of Inquiry to determine the immediate and remote causes of the crash,” he said.
July 15, 2023
Sudan: NAF To Airlift Stranded Nigerians Evacuated In Egypt
Amid the crisis rocking Sudan, the Federal Government has said that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will commence the airlifting of Nigerian evacuees from Egypt on Friday.
“The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Peace and other Airlines have received clearance to fly to Egypt. The NAF C-130H is scheduled to leave Abuja tomorrow, 28th April, 2023 to commence the airlifting of the evacuees,” said Amb. Janet Olisa of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The government also said arrangements are being concluded to airlift all Nigerians that have already escaped on their own to safety in other countries neighbouring Sudan.
See full statement:
JOINT PRESS RELEASE FROM THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS (MFA) AND THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS, DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT (FMHADMSD) ON THE EVACUATION OF NIGERIANS CAUGHT UP IN THE ON-GOING CRISIS IN SUDAN
Issued at Abuja, Nigeria on 27th April, 2023
The Ministers, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development convened a Situation Room on the Evacuation of Nigerian nationals from Sudan chaired by the Permanent Secretary FMHADMSD, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, mni, NPOM, meets daily. This followed the lingering crisis in Sudan between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RAF)
Members of the Situation Room include Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (FMHADMSD), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), Office of the Chief of Staff, National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and Nigerian Air Force (NAF). Other members include the various Nigerian Foreign Missions relevant to the evacuation exercise.
Seizing the window of the three (3) day United States negotiated ceasefire in Sudan, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR approved the immediate deployment of both human and financial resources towards the evacuation of Nigerians caught up in the ongoing crisis in Sudan.
Consequently, forty (40) buses have been secured in Sudan to convey the students and other Nigerians from Khartoum to Aswan border in Egypt, which is one of the identified safe reception borders. As at the time of the release of this statement, the 1st batch of buses had already departed Khartoum.
The Nigerian Mission in Egypt is liaising with the Egyptian Authorities to facilitate the evacuation exercise, by providing emergency entry documents and holding shelters, until the stranded Nigerian are airlifted back to Nigeria.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Peace and other Airlines have received clearance to fly to Egypt. The NAF C-130H is scheduled to leave Abuja tomorrow, 28th April, 2023 to commence the airlifting of the evacuees. Similarly, arrangements are being concluded to airlift all Nigerians that have already escaped on their own to safety in other countries neighbouring Sudan.
Some Nigerian students who found their way to the Ethiopian border on 22nd April, 2023 and got stranded were allowed entry into Ethiopia on 24th April, 2023 following the intervention of some Nigerian leaders. The students are safe and in good condition and have already made personal travel arrangements to return to Nigeria.
Similarly, another group of Nigerians assisted by the Government of United Arab Emirates (UAE) arrived Jeddah and are being taken care of by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the Nigerian Embassy in KSA. Arrangements are being made to bring them back home safely.
The initial hitches encountered during the commencement of the exercise, including incidents of bus drivers stopping in the desert due to non-payment have been resolved. The buses have continued towards the Egyptian border. The evacuation exercise is progressing and will continue until all stranded Nigerians are brought back home safely.
Signed:
Amb. Janet Olisa, OON
Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, MFA
Signed
Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo mni, NPOM Permanent Secretary
FMHADMSD
April 27, 2023
NAF Airstrike reportedly kill Pregnant woman, 2 Others in Kaduna
Nigerian Air Force airstrikes have reportedly killed a pregnant woman and two teenagers in Sabon Gida village of Fatika District in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
According to Daily Trust report, the incident happened on Sunday around 5 pm on Sunday, March 5, 2023, when the fighter jet was said to have targeted some bandits in a nearby bush who had run into the village.
It was gathered that the deceased were members of the same family and that about five other villagers sustained injuries.
A community leader, Hamisu Kurau, confirmed the incident to Daily Trust via phone.
“It was learnt the jet was after two bandits who fled into the village. It was said to have missed the target, and killed the pregnant woman identified as Furaira and two teenagers in the house,” he said.
He said the late woman’s husband, Bala, and the father of the two children, Muntari, are brothers.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the State Police Command, DSP Mohammed Jalige, declined to comment on the incident.
March 9, 2023
NAF Probes Accidental Air Strikes on Civilians
A Committee has been instituted by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to investigate reported cases of accidental air strikes on civilian population.
NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said the committee which was constituted by Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal OIadayo Amao, will compile all allegations of air strikes on civilians and review the circumstances leading to the strikes.
Amao who spoke at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Air Operations Seminar holding at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Thursday October 27, said the probe will profer “far-reaching measures that would mitigate future incidences of collateral damages on civilians during Nigerian Air Force (NAF) operations”.
He added;
“The investigation further aims at promoting accountability, allow the NAF to learn valuable lessons in order to avoid or mitigate similar cases in the future as well as take extra measures to minimize civilians harm and casualties in conflict areas.”
October 27, 2022
Nigerian Air Force Kicks off ‘Operation Show No Mercy’ in Fight Against Terrorism
As part of new plans to combat terrorism in Nigeria, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Wednesday, August 3, launched an offensive operation called ‘Operation Show no Mercy’.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, while launching the operation at a meeting with NAF commanders, tasked the senior air troops to deal with the menace with reloaded efforts.
In a statement issued by the spokesman of the airforce, Edward Gabkwet shortly after the meeting, Amao said the operation was to address the rising insecurity in the country.
Amao also promised to train more combat pilots, imagery analysts and other necessary specialities for maximum delivery.
The statement reads: “We have a responsibility to secure our nation and give our citizens a sense of hope, trust and belonging. Therefore, we must ensure that we stay ahead of the enemy and envisage his next line of action.
“I, therefore, charge you to show no mercy against any terrorist and their accomplices while also denying them the freedom of movement and ease to cause mayhem against innocent Nigerians.”
August 3, 2022
NAF Airstrikes Kill ‘Six Children’ In Niger
A community leader in Niger State has accused the Nigerian Air Force of killing six children and bombing houses in Kurebe, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
According to the spokesperson of the Coalition of Shiroro Associations (COSA), Salis Sabo, the strikes occurred on April 13.
The Nigerian Air Force is yet to react to the allegation.
“Six children were bombed to pieces by explosion from fighter jet belonging to Nigerian Air Force in Kurebe, Shiroro Local Government of Niger State. The incident happened on Wednesday the 13th of April, 2020, in the morning when the children were coming back to fetch water from a motorized borehole within Kurebe community,” the statement said.
“A man who lost two of his daughters and two grand daughters in the incident said; there was no single bandit within the village at the time the aircraft bombarded the innocent children. He added that the terrorists camps are well known. He said the terrorists around the community are of two groups, with two different camps. One links up with the community through Unguwan Zomo, the other through Kwantan Yashi area. Therefore, they do not understand why fighter jet would be targeting the community where civilians live.
“The person whose house was destroyed narrated their ordeal. He maintained that they are living a life of denial, they are at the mercy of the terrorists as the terrorists come into the community at will, loot their property, raped their daughters, wives and even their mothers. They forced then to live in the village as anyone who attempts to leave will incur the wrath of the terrorists. He added that there was no presence of any security personnel in the area.
“The two other children who lost their lives in the incidents have for long lost their parents. One of them is a daughter to late Malam Isah Kurebe and the other is a daughter to late Malam Adamu Kurebe, who was killed by the terrorists two years ago. The innocent child he left over, has now been taken away by similar fate. This is the second time this type of incident is happening.
“While we continue to vent, spleen, raise dust and even bring down the roof when occasion calls for that, to get the Government do what it has sworn to do. However, the continued pampering of these nefarious vermin who inflict terror straight from gutter will leave us with so much to be inferred.”
April 21, 2022
NAF Reveals Identities of Officers Killed in Kaduna Aircraft Crash
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has identified the two officers that died in an aircraft crash on Tuesday.
The two officers — Abubakar Alkali(pictured) and Elijah Karatu were killed in the incident which took place at NAF Base, Kaduna state.
Oladayo Amao, chief of air staff, said the cause of the crash will be “thoroughly” investigated.
According to a statement by Edward Gabkwet, NAF’s spokesman, the air chief spoke when he visited Kaduna to commiserate with families, friends, and colleagues of the pilots that lost their lives in the accident.
Amao assured the officers that all measures will be taken to forestall future crashes.
“Air Marshal Amao had constituted an Accident Investigation Board upon receiving the sad news of the crash yesterday, to determine the immediate and remote causes of the crash,” the statement reads.
“While at Kaduna earlier today, he assured the officers, airmen and airwomen of 401 Flying Training School that all measures will be emplaced to avert similar occurrence in the future.
“He also reminded them on the need to remain steadfast and focused on their assigned roles and responsibilities in view of the onerous task before the NAF and other security agency to rid the Northwest and indeed the entire Nation of all criminal elements.
“The unfortunate incident of yesterday’s trainer aircraft crash is yet again a tragic reminder of the perilous nature of the military flying profession as well as the risks NAF pilots continually take, daily, to secure Nigeria’s territorial integrity.”
April 20, 2022
Kaduna Train Attack: NAF Aircrafts liquidate over 30 terrorists in multiple strikes
The aftermath of the Presidential directive to the Service Chiefs to go after the terrorists that attacked and bombed the rail track and the train ferrying hundreds of passengers on the Kaduna-Abuja line, Nigerian Airforce attack aircraft on Wednesday neutralized more than 30 of the terrorists in a forest between Kaduna and Niger States.
This is just as the Defence Intelligence Agency, headquarters, joint intelligence service has uncovered scores of makeshift facilities and forest settlements, serving as camps for armed bandits and kidnappers terrorising travellers along Abuja-Kaduna highway and train routes.
Sources said the airstrikes followed receipt of credible information showing that at about 2 pm on 30 March 2022, about 70 terrorists on 40 motorcycles and some on foot were sighted moving towards the Akilibu – Sarkin Pawa Road, near Mangoro Village.,
“Consequently, the Air Component of Operation Thunder Strike swiftly scrambled an aircraft to intercept and neutralize the terrorists.
“As the aircraft approached the scene, several terrorists were seen running in disarray on sighting the aircraft, abandoning their motorcycles to take cover within nearby bushes.
“The terrorists were subsequently engaged in different waves with rockets while those fleeing were mopped up with canons decisively.
“Feedback from local sources around Mangoro Village disclosed that 17 motorcycles including 34 dead bodies as well as 14 locally fabricated guns belonging to the terrorist were recovered.
“It is unclear if the terrorists were part of those that attacked and killed eight passengers days ago on board a Kaduna bound train.
“The military have been commended for their improved swiftness to emergencies but charged to ensure they apprehend those behind the murder of passengers of the Kaduna bound train.”
A security source said that after obtaining intelligence, the NAF aircraft engaged the terrorists in different waves with rockets while those fleeing were mopped up with canons decisively leading to the neutralization of 34 of the bandits which were counted during a mop-up operation.
Meanwhile, an emergency intelligence meeting coordinated by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) after the attack on an Abuja-Kaduna train identified three locations as ‘destinations’ of bandits after most attacks, within the axis.
Furthermore, the meeting considered the immediate deployment of integrated security surveillance and monitoring solutions for the rail line, especially at such identified locations/bandit dens at Rijana, Katari and Kasarami.
“These locations are abodes to kidnappers, armed bandits, drug addicts, gun runners, prostitutes and fleeing Boko Haram terrorists,” the source said.
While hinting that a ‘massive joint security operation’ will commence in the areas, simultaneously with the deployment of recently acquired drones, the source said: “Some of the services have recently acquired sophisticated Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, (drones) to improve surveillance and ensure precisions attacks on targets.
“We anticipate collateral damages in the initial stages of the operation even though we will ensure maximum protection of innocent citizens. Proper identification exercises of people in the areas would be conducted.
March 31, 2022