Following recent security threats that has led to loss of lives and destruction of property in Mubi and violent clashes by communities in Cross Rivers and Akwa Ibom States, the Nigerian Airforce is to establish new Forward Operations Bases in Cross Rivers and Akwa Ibom States.
The NAF will also reactivate its Forward Operations Base in Mubi which had remained dormant and underutilized.
Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar who made the disclosure also said the NAF will establish an Annex for the Mobility Command in Akwa Ibom State.
He pointed out that establishment of the Annex does not mean that Mobility Command is moving out of Yenegoa, rather, it is to boost the activities and Operations of Mobility Command, since there is no airport at Yenegoa.
Regarding those trying to cause anarchy and confusion in the country, the CAS said, “As officers and members of the armed forces, we must work had to ensure that no territory of Nigeria is undermined.
“You should beware of the campaigns by some individuals to cause anarchy and confusion in the country. You should not be distracted by these campaigns.
Air Marshal Abubakar stated that the federal government is acquiring more air assets for the NAF towards ensuring that the air force fulfills its obligations noting that on its part, the NAF is reactivation its platforms while training will be intensified to put personnel in readiness for deployments.
In the meantime, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter aircraft, on25 January 2018 successfully neutralized several Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs), who were poised to interfere with ongoing operations in the Sambisa general area.
A statement signed by Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, Director of Public Relations said, “A NAF Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform had sighted several BHTs on vehicles and gun trucks, which were carefully concealed in a forested area.
“Consequently, three NAF fighter aircraft were detailed to provide Close Air Support to own surface forces, which also engaged the insurgents.
“The fighter aircraft launched a bomb attack on the insurgents’ defensive positions while another wave of bomb attacks was launched at the insurgents’ gun trucks and vehicles, causing one them to go up in flames.
“Thereafter, one of the aircraft strafed a fleeing BHTs vehicle with rockets, destroying the gun truck in the process.
“The NAF aircraft’s mission destroyed not only the vehicles but also the workshop previously used by the insurgents to repair and retrofit their vehicles and equipment.”
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