TERRORISM, MILITANCY: NAF EXPECTING 12 ATTACK HELICOPTER GUNSHIPS FROM RUSSIA – Air Chief.

TERRORISM, MILITANCY: NAF EXPECTING 12 ATTACK HELICOPTER GUNSHIPS FROM RUSSIA – Air Chief.

Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Saddique Abubakar has disclosed that the involvement of the Nigerian Air force in the battle to rid the country of terrorism in the North East and other serious security issues facing the country like the Niger Delta militancy, there was urgent need to boost the capacity of the NAF to meet its responsibilities.

Towards this end, the Air Chief who was speaking in an NTA programme said the Nigerian Air force will soon take delivery of twelve (12) new Mi-35 attack helicopter gunships fitted with modern facilities to fire of guided missiles at enemy positions.

Aside the gunships from Russia, Abubakar noted that a new set of fighter jets from the United States of America with ISR facilities, will in the not too distant future, be delivered to the Nigerian Airforce as soon as the US Congress which gives approval on manufacture and sale of such hi-tech weaponry gives its nod.

Commenting of the activities of Boko Haram terrorists and their camps in Sambisa, Air Marshal Abubakar said, “We have degraded the capacity of the Boko Haram terrorist’s group to move around inside the Sambisa forest. The only problem we are having is that of the terrain. It is a big challenge because the place has been mined and troops cannot just move freely”.

Noting however that the terrorists have being fleeing the forest because of airforce bombardment, Abubakar said the task was immense pointing out that the size of Sambisa Forest is about 60, 000 square kilometers while the three states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, where the insurgency operation was being fought, is about 150, 000 square kilometers.

Aside the need to acquire more platforms to meet the security challenges plaguing the nation, Air Marshal Saddique said the NAF was facing manpower challenges noting “This is what made us increase the number of recruits we usually employ yearly from 1,000 to 2,400 this year. For Civilian JTF members interested, only those with good characters who qualified will make it. The same screening process will apply to everyone”.

The Air Chief further disclosed that a new welfare scheme is being put in place for NAF personnel with the soon to take off a Non Commissioned Officers Housing Scheme for airmen and airwomen that is affordable to that cadre, as a means of boosting morale.

On his part during the TV programme, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai said the Nigerian Army at the weekend started taking delivery of de-mining equipment from abroad which will be deployed to the North East immediately to carry out demining of Sambisa forests and other places in the theater of Operation Lafiya Dole.

“This issue of mines and de-mining is an issue that calls for concern, not only for the troops but for post conflict civil life, so that civilians are not affected as they return to their communities. As I speak to you, we are offloading our de-mining equipment which we acquired from abroad”, he said.

Commenting on recent disclosures that Boko Haram terrorists fleeing air and land bombardments of the military were relocating to Ningi Local government area of Bauchi state, Buratai said, Where ever Boko Haram terrorists run to, we are following them; the Nigerian Army will pursue them until the leave our country”.

He pointed out that the Army under his leadership was not taking the issue of injured soldiers or those that suffered casualty in the battle front lightly saying, “The era of abandoning wounded troops is over. We have sent over 100 soldiers outside this country for medical treatment. We are also partnering with a hospital in Abuja that specializes in orthopedics to treat those that can be done here. For the children of deceased soldiers, we take over their education and train them up to university level while ensuring that all benefits to the family are paid.”

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