FG Orders 50 Fighter Jets as Terrorists Occupy Kainji

 

Nigerian government has ordered 50 fighter jets.

 

According to Punch, FG announced that the jets would bolster its anti-banditry operations as the 50 new aircraft is scheduled to arrive between now and next year.

 

This will help the country strengthen security efforts in the North-West region and across Nigeria as terrorists occupied the Kainji National Park in Niger State.

 

The Chief of Air Staff, Marshal Bala Abubakar, disclosed on Wednesday that the air fleet would include 12 AH-1 attack helicopters, 24 M-346 attack aircraft, 12 Augusta Westland 109 helicopters and two Casa 295 medium airlift aircraft.

 

Abubakar stated this during the inauguration of new facilities at the 213 Forward Operational Base in Katsina State.

 

The facilities include a taxiway link, two aircraft hangars, operation and engineering buildings, a perimeter fence and a football pitch.

 

Expressing gratitude to the federal and state governments for their support in combating banditry, the air chief praised NAF personnel for their dedication to maintaining peace and security in the region.

 

He said, “We are also mindful that the remnants of insurgents from Borno and Yobe states would be considering the option of moving back to Adamawa through the border towns in this regard, the Nigerian Air Force is intensifying its inner surveillance with a view to taking a decisive military action when required to prevent the re-emergence of insurgents activities in the state.

 

Also on Thursday, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, received two newly acquired helicopters at the  Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

 

The PUNCH reports that the two new Bell UH-1H helicopters touched down in the country at about 4:30 pm.

 

The two helicopters are meant to be used for logistics, surveillance, training and casualty evacuation among others.

 

Lagbaja said, “We are on a learning curve in the aviation business. We hope it will be a pleasant experience that will give our troops flexibility in the field and enhance our operational successes.

 

Lagbaja noted that the Army had nurtured the desire to have an aviation wing since 1984, expressing delight that the dream had finally materialised with the acquisition of the two helicopters.

 

He said, “Aviation has always been a game-changer, and that informs the decision for the Nigerian Army to strive to acquire platforms towards the actualisation of the dream of having an army aviation arm since 1984.

 

The Coordinator,  Nigerian Army Aviation, Brig. Gen. M.S. Alkali said the helicopters would strengthen the Army’s reconnaissance, surveillance, and air mobility capabilities.

 

“As we integrate these platforms into our operations, let us also remember that the true strength of our aviation lies in the skilled and courageous personnel who operate and maintain these machines. Their professionalism, dedication, and expertise are the bedrock upon which our success is built,” he said.

 

In a new report released on Wednesday, the Clingendael Institute, a Dutch think tank, said there was ample evidence that Islamist terrorists from the Sahel region had crossed into Nigeria through the Benin Republic border.

 

The jihad fighters were said to have settled in Kebbi State and the Kainji National Park, turning the facility into their base.

 

Reacting to the report, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, said the military was not slowing down in its campaign against terrorists across the country.

 

He noted that the objective of the military operations across the country was to destroy the terrorists wherever they were.

 

Buba said, “The military is fighting the terrorists wherever they exist across the country. Indeed, troops of Operation Whirl Punch are conducting operations in terrorist enclaves in North Central which includes Kainji Lake Park.