Sanwo-Olu made the statement when the Air Officer Commanding, AOC, Logistics Command, Lagos, of Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Emmanuel Shobande, paid him a courtesy visit at Lagos House, Ikeja.

He said: “We have watched very keenly our relationship and interactions with the Nigerian Air Force and we continue to see professionalism, competence and capability at the highest level.

“Indeed over the past couple of years, we have continued to see good relationship between the Lagos State Government and all security apparatus, especially the Nigeria Military Force – Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force and of course at the Security Council of the state, they bring on board very useful suggestions and discussions, which complements what other security arms are deploying, including the Lagos State Police Command and other related security agencies.

“For us, we are happy with the relationship we currently have. Like you all know, security is everybody’s business. So, we cannot but continue to remain very vigilant and continue to ensure that resources both men and material are available and support that we can continue to render as a government, we will continue to make them available to all.”

READ ALSO: Lagos: Government equips 100 newly trained firefighters

Governor Sanwo-Olu also assured Air Vice Marshal Shobande the continuous support of Lagos State Government to the Nigerian Air Force in Lagos.

He said: “We wish you the very best in this additional career posting you have call to come and take over in Lagos. We are encouraged given your pedigree that you will do a good job here. We are looking forward to further deepening of understanding and relationship between ourself and yourself.

“We know that the Nigerian Air Force have men that are equipped with some of the best airmen we have around the world, best flying officers, who also understand and appreciate what it entails to keep the air territory of the country peaceful and safe.”

Sanwo-Olu also commended the Logistics Command of Nigerian Air Force in Lagos for providing complementary citizens facilities like medical services, schools and recreational facilities for public use in Lagos State.

He said the Logistics Command, Lagos, was one of the best commands the Nigerian Air Force possessed around the country, adding that “it has been a command that has throne men, officers and men that you know have been of impeccable standard to the Nigerian Air Force.”

Speaking earlier, Air Vice Marshall Emmanuel Shobande appreciated Governor Sanwo-Olu and Lagos State government support to the Nigerian Air Force.

He also commended the relationship between the state government and the Nigerian Air Force and assured Governor Sanwo-Olu that they would work with other security agencies for security of lives and properties in Lagos State.

“In doing our job, we will continue to cooperate with other sister services – Nigerian Army and Nigerian Navy and other security services in the state for security of lives and properties in Lagos State,” he said.

The post Sanwo-Olu: We’ll deepen Lagos relationship with Air Force, others   appeared first on Frontpageng.

The Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that the terrorists were eliminated following sustained air operations in the North West.

According to him, no less than 26 kidnapped victims earlier held by the insurgents were released as a result of the air strikes.

He added that the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, had commended troops for the sustained air strike against terrorists operating in the zone.

“One of such strikes which occurred on August 9, resulted in the elimination of a well known terrorist leader operating in Kaduna State.

“Indeed, following receipt of intelligence on same day, that a well-known  insurgents kingpin, Alhaji Shanono, had scheduled a meeting with his foot soldiers at Ukambo, a village about 131 km from Kaduna.

“The Air Component of operation `Whirl Punch` dispatched aircraft for interdiction mission at the location.

“Overhead the location, insurgents were sighted under clusters of trees at the foot of Ukambo high ground and after ensuring the absence of civilian settlements within the location, the crew received the authorisation to strike.

“Feedback from local sources disclosed that over 30 rifles and 20 motorbikes were destroyed while about 18  insurgents, including Alhaji Shanono, were  neutralised while others sustained various degree of injuries.

“However, sources also revealed that not less than 26 kidnapped victims earlier held by the insurgents were released as a result of the airstrike,” he added.

Gabkwet said that the CAS had reviewed the ongoing air operations against the insurgents and other criminal elements in the country.

“From the briefings received by the CAS, it is evident that so far, the directive given to the operational commanders is yielding the requisite outcome,” he said.

The director said Amao had addressed the commanders and reminded them of the need to remain steadfast and focused on the task ahead.

“We can’t afford to let down our guards,” the CAS told the commanders.

Meanwhile, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East had conducted successful air interdiction missions on insurgents’ targets in Borno.

“One of such operations was conducted on August 6 at Gazuwa, about 1.2 kilometers to Gargash, after intelligences revealed that infighting for supremacy was underway between Shekau`s faction and Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP) faction.

“The state of confusion and disorder between the two factions presented an opportunity for a surprise strike by NAF pilots which was carried out using two aircraft types.

“It should be noted that though the map coordinates led the pilots to the exact site of the infighting, the location also had an ISWAP flag hoisted on the structure and three solar panels on the rooftop.

“Intelligence received and corroborated by local sources revealed the strike was a success as the insurgents did not anticipate it with several eliminated and others injured.“

According to the director, the sustained air strikes had disorganised the insurgents who had begun to realise that they were fighting a lost cause that would lead to their death.

“Most are said to be contemplating surrendering just like others before them,” he said.

Source: NAN

The post NAF eliminates terrorists leader, Shanono, in Kaduna appeared first on Frontpageng.

This burial, it was gathered, would be held at the national cemetery in Abuja.

It would be recalled that the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, Beechcraft King Air B350 aircraft crashed while returning to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after reporting engine failure enroute Minna.

The seven people who died in the military aircraft crash are the Captain, Fl. Lt. Haruna Gadzama; Fl. Lt. Henry Piyo (Co-Pilot); Flying Officer Micheal Okpara (Airborne Tactical Observation System Specialist); Warrant Officer Bassey Etim (ATOS Specialist); Fl. Sgt. Olasunkanmi Olawunmi (ATOS Specialist); Sgt. Ugochukwu Oluka (ATOS Specialist) and Aircraftman Adewale Johnson (Onboard Technician).

The post Victims of military aircraft crash to be buried Thursday appeared first on Frontpageng.

The Chief of Air Staff, CAS, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who spoke during the handover of the reactivated L-39ZA aircraft, at the 403 Flying Training School (FTS), Kano, said the platforms would enhance its operations.

Abubakar said the aircraft were reactivated with support of technical partners from the Czech Republic and engineering personnel of the service at the training school.

He said reactivation work on two L-39ZA aircrafts were successfully completed while the remaining one would soon be concluded.

The air chief said the service was currently reactivating two Alpha jets at Kainji while one other jet would be reactivated at Ikeja, Lagos State.

The reactivation, he said, would facilitate capacity building of its personnel, save maintenance cost and enhance air support operations in the theatre of operations.

Abubakar said the service prioritised collaboration with technical partners to train its personnel towards effective maintenance of its platforms.

While commending President Muhammadu Buhari for the support to the service, Abubakar reiterated commitment to end insurgency and banditry as well as protect national territorial integrity.

CAS also inaugurated the 403 FTS historical gallery at the training facility.

Source: NAN

The post Insecurity: CAS inducts three reactivated fighter jets in Kano appeared first on Frontpageng.

The air strike was carried out by the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Diran Mikiya on Friday.

The bandits’ hideout is located at a compound West of Tsamari in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara.

NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, who made this known on Sunday in Abuja said the action of the military followed intelligence reports.

According to him, it was confirmed that the compound was being used by the armed bandits as a camp from where they launched attacks on innocent civilians.

He said the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft confirmed the presence of bandits armed with high calibre weapons at the location.

“Consequently, an Alpha Jet aircraft was dispatched to strike the compound, recording direct hits on the target area and resulting in significant damage to the structures and neutralisation of some bandits.

“This was later confirmed by credible human intelligence sources,’’ he said.

He said the surface troops which later stormed the compound recovered some motorcycles abandoned by the fleeing criminals.

“The ATF working in concert with surface forces and other security agencies, will continue to conduct reconnaissance and air interdiction missions with a view to restoring normalcy to the affected states in the North-west,” he added.

The post Zamfara: Air Force kills armed bandits, destroys hideout appeared first on Frontpageng.

The efforts led to the sacking of the terrorists group, Boko Haram, in the area.

Nigeria Air Force Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola made this known as he gave details of how the terrorists were repelled.

His words:  “It may be recalled that the Headquarters 7 Brigade Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) Baga came under attack by members of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the evening of December 26.

“Upon receipt of the information of the attack, the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE immediately dispatched a NAF Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), platform along with two Mi-35M Helicopter Gunships to provide support for the troops to repel the attack.

“The NAF ISR aircraft, which was overhead the troops’ location as at 7.15pm, also worked closely with a NAF and another allied ISR aircraft that are also in the operation area at the time of the attack.

“The ISR platforms were in contact with the ground troops and assisted in directing their fire against the terrorists, while the helicopter gunships engaged the terrorists at isolated locations destroying some of their vehicles and neutralising some fighters.”

Giving details of the activities of the ATF over the December 27 attack by Boko Haram on the Nigerian Army and Navy at the Naval Base at Doron Baga, Daramola said two ISR platforms, two Helicopter Gunships and two Alpha Jet aircraft were deployed to provide ISR and close air support.

He said after establishing communication with the ground troops, the location of the terrorists was ascertained and engaged by the Alpha Jet aircraft.

He stated that the NAF and allied ISR platforms also spotted two ISWAP vehicles heading southwards from Baga and vectored the Alpha Jet aircraft to attack the vehicles, completely destroying one of them and neutralising the occupants.

“In order to enhance the quality of coordination between the air and ground operations, the Theatre Commander and Maritime Component Commander were carried onboard the ISR platform during one of the flights,” he said.

The post Boko Haram: We flew 39 hours to repel attack on Baga –NAF appeared first on Frontpageng.

The president commiserated with the family of the late four-star general, his friends and professional colleagues in the military, and the people and government of Adamawa State.

Noting that the late Badeh, who was also a former Chief of Air Staff, attained professional fulfilment in his over three decades military career, President Buhari regretted that he fell victim to incidence of violent and fatal attacks on the nation’s highways.

He directed security agencies to find the killers of the 15th Chief of Defence Staff and bring them to face the full force of the law, while ensuring greater security and safety for all users of the country’s roads.

The president prayed that God Almighty would comfort all those who mourned Air Chief Marshal Badeh and grant his soul peaceful rest.

Badeh died as a result of the gunshot wounds he sustained in an attack along Abuja-Keffi Road when returning from his farm.

He was 61 years old.

The death of Badeh was announced by the spokesman of the Nigeria Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, on Tuesday.

“It is with a heavy heart that I regretfully announce the unfortunate demise of former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, who died today, 18 Dec 2018, from gunshot wounds sustained when his vehicle was attacked while returning from his farm along Abuja-Keffi Road.

“On behalf of officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Abubakar, commiserates with the family of the late former Chief of Defence Staff over this irreparable loss. We pray that the Almighty God grants his soul eternal rest,” Daramola tweeted.

Born on January 10, 1957 in Vimtim, Mubi Local Government Area of Adamawa State, he was Chief of Defence Staff between January 2014 and July 2015.

Badeh was being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged money laundering to the tune of N3.9 billion.

The post Buhari speaks on killing of Badeh, ex-Chief of Defence Staff appeared first on Frontpageng.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Charles Aniagwu, Okowa condemned the killing of the retired general who dedicated his lifetime to the service of his country.

The governor tasked security agencies in the country to rise to the occasion by unmasking the assailants and bringing them to justice.

Okowa lauded Badeh for initiating the Optimizing Local Engineering (OLE 1 and 2) to focus on developing indigenous Unarmed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and other weapon systems that resulted in the production of the AMEBO project (aka GULMA 1 UAV) the 1st locally produced drone in Nigeria which allowed the Air Force survey and carry out attacks remotely without putting the lives of pilots at risk.

The statement further reads:  “Badeh initiated and constructed the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) extension complex fitted with a befitting joint operations room, conference hall, the office spaces, penthouse to receive guests, Armed Forces DNA Laboratory, which has allowed for easy identification of casualties of war, the Defence Space Agency, commissioning of 30 Gun Boats in the Niger Delta region amongst others.

“The killing of Alex Badeh by unknown gunmen is quite unfortunate and a terrible news just like the case of General Idris Alkali who was abducted and later killed. I appeal to security agencies to work together and unmask those involved in the heinous crime that led to the death of the retired Defence Chief.

“Our country is being bedeviled by one manner of killings and abductions or the other. We never knew that it would deteriorate to a level where a former Chief of Defence Staff would be murdered in such a gruesome manner.”

He added:  “It is my prayer and the prayers of all Deltans that the almighty God will give the family the fortitude to bear this loss.”

The post Alex Badeh: Unmask his killers, Okowa charges security agencies appeared first on Frontpageng.

He died as a result of the gunshot wounds he sustained in an attack along Abuja-Keffi Road when returning from his farm.

He was 61 years old.

The death of Badeh was announced by the spokesman of the Nigeria Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, on Tuesday.

“It is with a heavy heart that I regretfully announce the unfortunate demise of former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, who died today, 18 Dec 2018, from gunshot wounds sustained when his vehicle was attacked while returning from his farm along Abuja-Keffi Road.

“On behalf of officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Abubakar, commiserates with the family of the late former Chief of Defence Staff over this irreparable loss. We pray that the Almighty God grants his soul eternal rest,” Daramola tweeted.

Born on January 10, 1957 in Vimtim, Mubi Local Government Area of Adamawa State, he was Chief of Defence Staff between January 2014 and July 2015.

Badeh was being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged money laundering to the tune of N3.9 billion.

The post Ex-Chief of Defence Staff, Badeh shot dead appeared first on Frontpageng.