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Tag: Nigerian Air Force

  • NAF Airstrikes Kill ‘Six Children’ In Niger

    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.”

  • Makinde Commends Nigerian Air Force for Keeping Oyo Safe

    Makinde Commends Nigerian Air Force for Keeping Oyo Safe

    Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde has lauded the Nigerian Air Force for its unalloyed cooperation in keeping Oyo State safe, pledging that his administration would continue to work with the Force and other security agencies to fight insecurity in the state.

    The governor, who stated this while receiving the Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command, Ikeja, Lagos, Air Vice Marshal Charles Ohwo, and his team, during a courtesy visit to his office, added that the state has been enjoying a cordial relationship with the Air Force.

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the governor equally reiterated his commitment to upgrading the Ibadan Airport, noting that plans were in top gear by the state government to extend the runway from the current 2.7 kilometres to 3.3 kilometres to enable bigger aircrafts to land.

    The governor added that his administration would continue to expand the footprints of the Nigerian Air Force in the state, adding that the Force would be well supported through a special support fund under his office in next year’s budget.

    He said: “We are happy with the cooperation that we have enjoyed from the Air Force in Oyo State. Thanks to Air Commodore S. Peter, who is a member of the Oyo State Security Council and who has always provided useful counsel; and, infact, we are having a meeting right after this courtesy visit.

    “We are excited that we are expanding the footprint of the Nigerian Air Force here with the planned Airforce Base and whenever the Chief of Air Staff is ready, we are ready to do the groundbreaking.

    “We just constituted the Oyo State Executive Council and we have a new Commissioner for Lands and Urban Planning, and one of his tasks is to ensure that compensation is paid for the land we are providing for the base.

    “Also, I have in our next year’s budget under my office, a special fund we can use to support this kind of programme.”

    Makinde added that as part of his government’s efforts to upgrade the Airport, all roads leading to the facility have been awarded for construction, noting that the government has equally awarded the contract for the building of a fuel dispensing facility in the Airport.

    “We are excited about that possibility and we are also currently doing some projects around the Airport. All the roads leading to the Airport have been awarded and we are just waiting for the contractors to mobilise to sites. We have also awarded the contract for the fuel dispensing facility at the Airport.

    “We are doing everything here to ensure that the Airport is fully upgraded and we also have the project to extend the runway from the current 2.7 kilometres to 3.3 kilometres so that bigger aircrafts can land in there.

    “So, we are happy to have you here and equally pledge that we will continue to cooperate with the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies in Oyo State,” he said.

    The governor, who maintained that the country had been going through a difficult period and that the current set of leaders of our country has been quite challenged, said the names of members of the Armed Forces would be written in gold for their efforts in stemming the tide of insecurity at this point in the nation’s history.

    Earlier in his remarks, Ohwo, commended the leadership style of Makinde, saying he was impressed by the infrastructural projects being carried out in the state.

    “I am here and want to use this opportunity to thank you for everything you have been doing. I commend your leadership style. I passed through many roads and saw the impressive transformation in the infrastructure projects. So, I am impressed with your administration,” the Air Vice Marshal said.

    He further appreciated the governor for the support he has given the Force so far, including the piece of land for the Air Force Base, new school building, transformer and other equipment donated by his government.

    He, however, assured that the Air Force would be willing and ready to contribute its quota to ensure that the south-west and, specifically, Oyo State was safe.

  • BREAKING: Nigerian Air Force Confirms jet crash, As Pilot Survives

    BREAKING: Nigerian Air Force Confirms jet crash, As Pilot Survives

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has revealed how one of its pilots survived an air crash after an attack by bandits on the boundaries of Zamfara and Kaduna State.

    In a statement signed on Monday by Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the pilot identified as Flight Lieutenant Abayomi Dairo survived after he successfully ejected from the aircraft.

    “On 18 July 2021, at about 12.45 pm, a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet aircraft, returning from a successful air interdiction mission between the boundaries of Zamfara and Kaduna State, came under intense enemy fire which led to its crash in Zamfara State.

    “Luckily, the gallant pilot of the aircraft, Flight Lieutenant Abayomi Dairo, successfully ejected from the aircraft.

    “Using his survival instincts, the pilot, who came under intense ground fire from the bandits, was able to evade them and sought refuge in nearby settlements awaiting sunset,” the statement read in part.

    Flight Lieutenant Abayomi Dairo survived after he successfully ejected from the aircraft.

    It added that the pilot was able to elude several bandits’ strongholds by using the cover of darkness and his phone set for navigation and maneuvered his way to a Nigerian Army Unit, where he was finally rescued.

    The NAF assured that despite the setback of the crash, it remains committed to fulfilling President Muhammadu Buhari’s mandate as well as other constitutional roles assigned to it.

    The willingness, readiness, and tested ability of the NAF remain unshaken and unwavering as it continues to carry out its assigned roles,” the NAF said.

    President Buhari had earlier directed the Armed Forces of Nigeria to do all it takes to flush out criminal elements in Katsina, Zamfara, and Kaduna States.

    SEE THE FULL STATEMENT BY THE NAF BELOW

    ALPHA JET AIRCRAFT CRASHES IN ZAMFARA STATE, PILOT RESCUED

    On 18 July 2021, at about 12.45 pm, a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet aircraft, returning from a successful air interdiction mission between the boundaries of Zamfara and Kaduna State, came under intense enemy fire which led to its crash in Zamfara State. Luckily, the gallant pilot of the aircraft, Flight Lieutenant Abayomi Dairo, successfully ejected from the aircraft. Using his survival instincts, the pilot, who came under intense ground fire from the bandits, was able to evade them and sought refuge in nearby settlements awaiting sunset. Using the cover of darkness and his phone set for navigation, Flight Lieutenant Dairo was able to elude several bandits’ strongholds and maneuvered his way to a Nigerian Army Unit, where he was finally rescued.

    It is instructive to note that upon receipt of the news of the crash, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, had directed that all efforts must be emplaced to rescue the pilot. Accordingly, NAF Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms and helicopter gunships provided close air support to NAF Special Forces and Nigerian Army troops who were able to locate the crash site and the pilot’s parachute, while also combing nearby locations for any sign of the pilot. It is gladdening to note that while in hiding, Flight Lieutenant Dairo confirmed that the presence of NAF aircraft within the vicinity of the crash site helped in scaring the bandits who were after him, thus enabling him to find refuge and escape to a safe location.

    It is important to also recall that only recently, the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, had directed the Armed Forces of Nigeria to do all it takes to flush out criminal elements in Katsina, Zamfara and the Kaduna States. It is in fulfillment of this directive that the NAF, in conjunction with surface forces, has in the last 2 weeks mounted intensive day and night air interdiction operations against bandits and their hideouts, especially in these 3 states. Through these intensive air operations, hundreds of bandits have been neutralized and several of their hideouts destroyed.

    Despite the setback of yesterday’s crash, the NAF remains committed towards fulfilling Mr President’s mandate as well as other constitutional roles assigned to it. The willingness, readiness and tested ability of the NAF remains unshaken and unwavering as it continues to carry out its assigned roles.

    Kindly bring the information to the awareness of the general public. Thank you.

    Edward Gabkwet

    Air Commodore

    Director of Public Relations and Information

    Nigerian Air Force

    19 July 2021