BHT: NAF Blow Up scores in Gwoza Hills; kills 57 terrorists in ‘Operation Deep Punch’.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it has activated ‘Operation Deep Punch’, the chapter of the counter insurgency operation code-named tailored towards clearing out remnants of Boko Haram terrorists, who escaped to different axis of the North East, following the fall of Sambisa.

The NAF noted that the new operation commenced early this year and has recorded tremendous success in curtailing the excesses of the fleeing Boko Haram terrorists particularly its clear out of scores of terrorists massing atop the Gwoza hills.

According to the Air Component Commander of Operation Lafia Dole, Air Commodore Charles Owoh who was briefing on the first quarter operations for 2017, the Air Component’s projection for second quarter of 2017 would include the continuous projection of close air support for the surface forces and independent missions in support of the Operation Deep punch.

Owoh maintained that Nigerians should expect more result oriented missions from the NAF in years ahead as the experience garnered in 2016 has brought to the fore a number of operational gaps in the application of air power.

He noted that the overall objective was to improve capabilities, methodology and refine processes with a view to ensuring effectiveness and efficiency in the application of airpower.

Giving details of operational statistics from January to March 2017, Owoh said the Air Component of Operation Lafia Dole carried out a total of 974 sorties in 1,486 hours and 26 minutes, flying hours in 701 missions with a total of jet A-1 of 1,227,834,960 of fuel at the cost of N343,834,960 and a total of 1,206L for Gas.

He pointed out NAF engagements in these operations are in the areas of close air support, interdiction, surveillance, and logistics resupply missions, air transport and medical/causality evacuation for surface forces.

Speaking further, the Air Component Commander stated that the NAF is set to fully deploy its unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV CH-34), newly acquired Mi-35M gunship helicopters and recently enrolled L-39ZA jets to reinforce the air capability in the second quarter.

He said the NAF Forward Operation Base in Monguno was also under reactivation to support the combat and non-combat helicopter’s operations in support of the various operations

Meanwhile, Owho confirmed that troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole and the Multi-National Joint Task Force shot dead at least 57 Boko Haram terrorists in Arege area of northern Borno State, during a recent gun battle.

The Boko Haram insurgents, who were regrouping under trees in the area, were reportedly caught by an Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance platform of the air component, Lafiya Dole, before the MNJTF troops opened fire on them.

Though an undisclosed number of soldiers were reportedly injured during the encounter, the Air Component Commander said clearance operations were ongoing in the Sambisa area, noting that adverse weather would be a challenge to troops during the present rainy season.

“In Arege village of northern Borno, on Monday, an ISR operation was carried out. We discovered that a lot of fleeing Boko Haram insurgents hid under trees and the adverse weather prevented us from taking them out in an air strike. So, we communicated with the MNJTF troops around the location.

“In the fire fight which ensued, at least 57 Boko Haram members were killed by the MNJTF forces. Several arms and ammunition were also recovered from the insurgents.

“In Tagoshe and Gwoza hills, there were also indications that the Boko Haram terrorists had hideouts and we mobilized the ISR platform to the place.

“We thereafter conducted air interdiction and blew up the terrorists. We have and will continue to monitor all these areas”.

Speaking about the Rann accidental bombing which occured Tuesday, January 17, Air Commodore Owho said that NAF authorities would reach out to the victims of the incident and their families, as soon as the NAF panel set up to investigate the incident unveiled its findings.

Air Officer Commanding, Tactical Air Command of NAF, Air Vice Marshal Nurudeen Balogun in his address disclosed that the NAF was engaged in various internal security operations across the country in order to bring about peaceful co-existence among citizens.

AVM Balogun emphasized on the capability of the Air Force to undertake various spectra of operation both in the air and ground with rapid deployment noting that with time the NAF activities would help to subdue the insurgents and other criminal elements across the nation.

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