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NAF destroys ISWAP hideout, neutralises insurgents in Borno
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it has destroyed an Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) hideout at Bukar Meram on the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin in northern Borno.
NAF said it also neutralised some of the insurgents fighters at the same area.
Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, who made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, said the operation was conducted on Wednesday.
Daramola said the feat was achieved on Feb.19, in air strikes conducted as part of the ongoing “Operation Rattle Snake III” after intelligence reports indicated an increase in activities in the settlement with the observation of more terrorist fighters operating in the area.
“Accordingly; the Air Task Force (ATF) scrambled its attack aircraft to engage designated locations within the settlement scoring multiple hits, leading to the neutralisation of some terrorists as well as the destruction of some structures housing the ISWAP elements.
“Operation Rattle Snake III, which commenced on Feb.4, is aimed at targeting selected locations within the northeast in order to shape the battle space for effective conduct of further ground and air operations”. (NAN)
February 21, 2020
NAF destroys ISWAP training camp in Borno
Abuja, Feb. 17, 2020 The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has destroyed an Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) training camp at Kirta Wulgo on the fringes of the Lake Chad in Northern Borno.
Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
Daramola said the operation was conducted on Sunday through the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole.
He explained that the feat was achieved in air strikes conducted on Feb. 16, on the heels of credible intelligence reports as well as series of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
Daramola said the ISR missions had established that some structures within the settlement were being used by the terrorists to house and train their fighters.
“Accordingly, the ATF dispatched an enhanced force package of attack aircraft to engage the identified locations within the settlement. The fighter jets took turns attacking the target area in successive passes taking out the training facilities,’’ he said.
The spokesman said the NAF, operating in concert with surface forces, would sustain its air campaign to shape the battle space in the North East for the effective conduct of further ground and air operations.
February 17, 2020
NAF kills Boko Haram leaders near Sambisa Forest
The Nigerian Air Force says it has neutralised some key Boko Haram terrorist leaders at Alafa Yagayaga on the fringes of the Sambisa Forest in Borno State.
NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, who made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said the operation was conducted on Saturday.
Daramola explained that this was achieved on February 8 when fighter jets dispatched by the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole obliterated a compound in the settlement where the leaders had assembled for a meeting.
“The airstrike was executed on the heels of credible intelligence reports indicating that the BHT leaders had converged at the target compound for a meeting over the weekend.
“Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions, which confirmed the meeting venue, also observed several BHTs in and around other buildings in the vicinity of the compound.
“Bombs from the detailed attack aircraft scored accurate hits on the target leading to the obliteration of the compound and surrounding structures as well as the neutralisation of their BHT occupants,” he said.
Daramola said NAF, operating in concert with surface forces, would sustain its air campaign to shape the battlespace in the North East for the effective conduct of further ground and air operations.
(NAN)
February 10, 2020
Terrorists killed as NAF destroys ISWAP hideout in Borno
The Nigerian Air Force, Director, Public Relations and information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said NAF had destroyed compounds housing Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists in Kaza, Ngala Local Government, Borno.
Daramola said in a statement on Friday in Abuja, that the Air Force achieved this through the Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE.
He said the airstrike was executed on February 5 following intelligence reports that some ISWAP members who relocated from nearby Tongule have settled in the area.
According to him, the reports show that some ISWAP elements have set up camps in a cluster of compounds in Kaza, along with their logistics suppliers.
“The identified location within the settlement was attacked by the ATF’s fighter jets after confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions, showed a significant presence of terrorists.
“This resulted in the destruction of the structures and the neutralisation of some of the ISWAP fighters,” he said.
Daramola said NAF and surface forces will sustain air campaign to shape the battlespace in the North East for the effective conduct of further ground and air operations.
February 7, 2020
Air Force appoints new branch chiefs, redeploys Air Officers Commanding, others
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has redeployed a total of 36 Air Vice Marshals (AVMs) and 40 Air Commodores (Air Cdres) including some Branch Chiefs, Air Officers Commanding (AOCs), Commandants of Tri-Service Institutions, Directors and Commanders.
Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information announced this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said the appointments and redeployments, which followed the recent promotion of some senior officers to the next higher ranks as well as the retirement of some senior officers, is a routine exercise aimed at further re-invigorating operational efficiency and enhancing service delivery.
Daramola said branch Chiefs affected by the redeployment included: AVM Oladayo Amao, the former Chief of Training and Operations (CTOP) Headquarters NAF (HQ NAF), who has now been appointed as the Chief of Policy and Plans (COPP).
He said AVM James Gwani, the erstwhile AOC Special Operations Command (SOC), has been appointed as the new CTOP.
” Additionally, AVM Musibau Olatunji has been appointed as the new Chief of Aircraft Engineering (CAcE), while AVM Mohammed Idris has been appointed as the Chief of Administration (COA) HQ NAF.
” Also redeployed are AVM Abubakar Liman, the erstwhile Commandant of the Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (AFRC), Oshodi, who has now been appointed as Commandant Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji.
” AVM Kingsley Lar, the former COA HQ NAF, has been appointed as the Commandant of AFRC, Oshodi; while AVM Abdulganiyu Olabisi, the former AOC Logistics Command (LC) is now the Commandant, Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Kaduna,” he said.
Daramola said the new AOCs included: AVM Olusegun Philip, who is now the AOC Tactical Air Command (AOC TAC) in Makurdi; AVM Charles Ohwo, the former AOC TAC, who is now the AOC SOC, Bauchi.
Others are : AVM Ibukun Ojeyemi who has been appointed as the AOC Mobility Command (MC) in Yenagoa and AVM Musa Muktar who is the new AOC Air Training Command (ATC); while the former Commandant AFCSC, AVM Lawal Alao, is now the AOC LC, Ikeja.
Daramola said other senior officers redeployed included: AVM Anderson Kassimu who is now the Managing Director NAF Properties Limited; AVM Mohammed Suleiman who is appointed as the Chief of Defence Policy and Plans (CDPP), Defence Headquarters (DHQ).
Others are : AVM Tunde Awoyoola as Chief of Defence Transformation and Innovation, DHQ; AVM Ubrufi Uzezi as Deputy Chief of the Defence Space Administration and AVM Charles Otegbade to the Air Traffic Services Training Centre (ATSTC), Kaduna as Commandant.
” Also affected are AVM Idi Lubo who is now the Director of Policy HQ NAF, AVM Ayoola Jolasinmi who is appointed as Director of Operations, AVM Aliyu Pani as the Director of Administration and Air Commodore Abraham Adole as Director of Training, HQ NAF.
” Also redeployed is the former Commander 011 Presidential Air Fleet (011 PAF), AVM Hassan Abubakar who is now the Chief of Staff (COS) MC, Yenagoa. He is to be replaced by Air Commodore Abubakar Abdullahi
” While Air Commodore Simon Peter is to take over as the Commander 053 NAF Camp, Abuja and Air Commodore Razak Olanrewaju is appointed as the new Commander 651 Bases Services Group, Ikeja.,” he said.
Daramola said the newly appointed and redeployed senior officers are expected to take over their new offices not later than Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (NAN)
January 2, 2020
Rattle Snake 2: NAF neutralises several insurgents, destroys camp at Abulam in Borno
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says its Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, has neutralised several Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) at Abulam in the Sambisa Forest area of Borno.
The NAF said it also destroyed some of the terrorists’ structures in their camp at Abulam.
Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, said the operation was conducted on Tuesday.
Daramola said the mission was executed to mark the commencement of Operation RATTLE SNAKE 2.
Operation Rattle Snake 2 is an Air Interdiction Operation aimed at taking out some identified insurgent camps and logistics facilities in order to further unhinge the terrorists’ centre of gravity and diminish their fighting capability.
He explained that Abullam was selected for attack on Day One of the Operation based on credible intelligence reports indicating that the terrorists had resumed using the once abandoned settlement as a staging point from where they launch attacks against own ground troops’ locations.
” Accordingly, the ATF detailed its attack aircraft, supported by an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, to attack designated compounds within the settlement.
” The jets took turns to engage the target in successive passes leading to the destruction of some of the structures as well as the killing of several terrorists,” he said.
Daramola recalled that NAF in early to mid Dec. 2019, planned and executed the highly successful Operation RATTLE SNAKE 1.
He said Operation RATTLE SNAKE 2 was conceived to consolidate the gains of the earlier operation and shape the battle space for further air and ground operations.(NAN)
January 2, 2020
Insurgency: CAS lauds troops for sustaining tempo of operation in NE
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar has commended officers and men of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) for sustaining the tempo of operation in the fight against insurgents in North East.
Abubakar gave the commendation on Thursday in Yola during a feast organised for personnel of NAF Base in Yola to mark Christmas and Boxing Day.
Represented by the Air Task Force Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Air Commodore Precious Amadi, the CAS urged the troop to redouble their efforts to completely rid the north east of terrorists.
“I must commend the command in Yola for their effort in ensuring that activities of the unit in Yola are running smoothly and tempo of operation being maintained.
“NAF and the country at large appreciate your effort at restoring normalcy and peaceful coexistence in north east, especially in Adamawa,” Abubakar said.
While commending President Muhammadu Buhari for providing the needed resources to carry out their assigned duties, the CAS tasked the personnel to show appreciation by remaining discipline and exhibiting the highest level of professionalism.
In his remarks, Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, represented by Secretary to the State Government, Mr Ahmed Bashir, lauded the role of NAF in restoring peace and security in Adamawa.
The governor assured him of the Sate Government’s commitment to work with NAF and other security agencies to sustain the tempo. (NAN)
December 27, 2019
NAF destroys another terrorist’s logistics camp at Bakare in Borno
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says its Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has destroyed some more logistics facilities belonging to the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the northern part of Borno.
Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
Daramola said the operation was in furtherance of the objectives for initiating ‘Operation Rattle Snake’.
Operation Rattle Snake is an Air Interdiction Operation.
It targets selected locations within the North East to further degrade remnants of terrorists as well as deny them safe havens and freedom of action.
Daramola explained that the operation was executed at Bakare, an island settlement within the Lake Chad green fringes.
According to him, the NAF jets attacked and destroyed some compounds where the ISWAP logistics stores were kept.
“The target locations were seen to erupt into flames upon impact of the aircraft munitions.
“Operation Rattle Snake, which was specifically initiated to neutralise some pre-designated insurgent camps and logistics facilities.
“It is a precursor to further air and ground operations aimed at completely destroying all remnants of the terrorists in the North East,” he said. (NAN)
December 20, 2019
National security: Air Chief assures best training for NAF personnel
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on Tuesday assured that the service would continue to provide the best training for Nigeria Air Force personnel to enhance their professionalism and efficiency in the defence of the nation.
Abubakar gave the assurance during the graduation of Instructor Pilots, Captains and first pilots at the NAF 401 Flying Training School (FTS), on Tuesday in Kaduna.
The Air Chief also inaugurated the Hall of Fame which would showcase the pilots that have passed through 401 FTS.
He said already, some of NAF instructors and student pilots from the 403 Flying Training School Kano are in Czech Republic on training.
“Another set of pilots are doing convertion on the Mi-171 helicopter in Czech Republic while our helicopter pilots in MI-35 are able to conduct training with Azabaijan Air Force,” Abubakar said.
“I want to assure you that the NAF will continue to do everything humanly possible to provide you with the best training both within and outside Nigeria.
“Today we are very excited to witness the graduation of instructor pilots, captains and officers in the flying training school.
“I’m indeed delighted with the progress the school has made so far in the last few years.
“As a matter of fact, since it was established, all of us that have been in the system for sometime went through the same flying school.
“I am excited that so many people have passed through this great institution and we are very proud in terms of the quality of the training of students that have passed through this great school.
“There is no doubt this institution has produced so many fighter, helicopter and transport pilots that are flying in various theatres of conflicts within Nigeria and adding value to ensure that Nigeria is secured and our territorial inteergrity is not undermined.”
He noted that, another set of student pilots has commenced training at the school.
The Air Chief congrualated the pilot for showing courage, commitment and determination during the training and urged them to use their experiences in facing the chellanges associated with their new flying status.
“However you must all know that being instructors , you are hereby entrusted with equipment worth millions of dollars , as well as human lives.
“Therefore, I expect you to be professional and use the knowledge you have acquired in the last few months and also put in you best so that we can all celebrate success.
“You will be concerned with aircraft, issues of weather factors, flight regulations and flying control procedures and you must ensure you adhere to these procedures and also conduct yourselves as professional pilots.
“We have no doubt in the confidence we have in you and in terms of capacity of 401 to produce highly professional pilots that will not only instruct our cadets coming out from NDA, but but will put in their best to train very competent and professional aircrew that will deal with some of the security challenges we are facing in the country.”
Abubakar expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for his support to the air force, which enabled it to regaining its lost glory.
“Today, we are not only able to project air power both within and outside Nigeria but we have also built capacity to protect our air assets.
“For us officers and men of the service, we must put in our best to appreciate the gesture extended to us by the President.
“We must take care of all equipment entrusted to us and we must conduct ourselves as professional airmen and airwomen” Abubakar said. (NAN)
December 11, 2019
NAF kills several insurgents at hideout in Ngoske, Borno
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), on Thursday, said its Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE killed several psychological oppressors at their alcoves in Ngoske on the edges of Sambisa Forest.
Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information who uncovered this in an announcement in Abuja, said the activity was led on Wednesday.
“The operation was conducted pursuant to credible intelligence reports indicating that the settlement was one of the locations being used by the terrorists as a staging area from where they launch attacks against own troops positions in the southern part of the state.
“Accordingly, the ATF detailed its aircraft to attack the location.
“Overhead the target area, over 30 terrorists were spotted near a large building surrounded by other smaller structures.
“The location was subsequently engaged by the attack aircraft, destroying some of the structures and neutralising some of the terrorists.
“Other terrorists, who attempted to flee the location in disarray were mopped-up in follow-on attacks by the jets,” he said.
Daramola said that the NAF, working in concert with the surface forces, will continue its efforts to completely destroy all the remains of the North East terrorists.
November 28, 2019