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DEFENCE

NAF Conducts Joint Combat Search, Rescue Exercises along Kaduna-Abuja Highway

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By Gom Mirian, Abuja 


In a bid to enhance the capacity, professionalism and combat readiness of its personnel to tackle various internal security challenges and secure the lives and properties of Nigerians, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Saturday conducted a Joint Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), Special Forces (SF) and Air Police K-9 Simulation Exercise (JCSAEX) at Rijana Village along Kaduna-Abuja Highway.

 


In a statement by NAF spokesperson, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola, the Exercise, code named “TAIMAKO YAZO”, was aimed at simulating tactics, doctrine and synergy amongst first responders for effective CSAR operations of downed aircrew or other NAF personnel, who have had to eject or abandon their aircraft in emergency situations.


Daramola said the ability to rescue crew from hostile environments is particularly important as it can be adapted for anti-kidnapping operations as was recently done by the NAF in concert with other security agencies in the rescue of the kidnapped boys of Government Science Secondary School Kankara.

Speaking during the Exercise, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, stated that the overall desire of the NAF was to ensure that personnel are trained and equipped to maintain very high levels of combat readiness and operational effectiveness.


According to him, in a bid to better reposition the NAF SF through robust capacity building for more effective response to the various security challenges bedeviling the country in the areas of counter-terrorism, airport security and anti-banditry operations, the NAF in 2019 conducted several counter-terrorism exercises in Kaduna, Kano, Niger and Osun States. 


The CAS noted that the importance of training to a fighting force like the NAF cannot be over emphasized as regular purposeful training remains the cornerstone of military combat readiness. 


“It is in realization of this that the NAF ensures that its personnel are mentally alert and physically fit at all times, through regular training and exercises so that we remain continually willing, able and ready to defend the nation”, the CAS said. 

Air Marshal Abubakar stated that, even with today’s modern weapons systems, it is the personnel with competence that would make the difference in any current or future conflict situations. 

This philosophy, he said, had been incorporated into the NAF policies and regulations so that every personnel maintains a high level of combat readiness to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the conduct of a wide spectrum of military operations. 


He highlighted that, in the quest to achieve professionalism, Service members are subjected to excruciatingly difficult training procedures and exposed to various terrain conditions to enable them develop and sustain a high level of combat effectiveness. 
“This, no doubt, will help our personnel perform at the highest standards throughout their career”, he said.
The CAS further remarked that the timing for the conduct of the exercise was apt as it readily tests the combat and physical readiness of NAF personnel to face the very difficult security challenges currently confronting the Nation. 


Abubakar, who said he was satisfied and excited over the Exercise, noted that the resources being expended on a daily basis to ensure that NAF personnel were given the skills required and training needed to conduct operations successfully were yielding tangible results. 


The CAS said he was highly impressed with the Exercise in terms of coordination between the air and ground elements. 


According to him, “security is not only about bullets, bombs and rockets, it is about everybody putting hands on deck to ensure that the Country is secured. 
” This Exercise will be a continuous one, we have done one here. From now to June 2021, we will have 6 of these Exercises. Most of these Exercises will now move to the Northwest, particularly in Zamfara and Katsina States. We are also about to activate the NAF Unit in Funtua to further reduce our response time as well as bring security even closer to the people”, the CAS revealed. 


The CAS seized the opportunity to express his profound gratitude to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari for his unflinching support to the growth and development of the NAF. 
He also thanked members of the National Assembly and the Honourable Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff and other Service Chiefs for their continued support to the NAF. 


The CAS reassured Nigerians that the NAF remained fully committed to the successful execution of its constitutional roles and would continue to meet its statutory responsibility of defending the territorial integrity and national sovereignty, whether acting singly or in unison with surface forces and other security agencies. 


Conducting the Exercise along Kaduna-Abuja Highway, the CAS said, would impact positively and deter criminals from coming out to attack innocent citizens. 


Earlier in his welcome address, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Special Operations Command (SOC), Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Charles Ohwo, stated that the Exercise was in line with the CAS’ deliberate efforts to boost human capacity development through robust and result oriented training for enhanced professional performance.


The event, he said, would enhance NAF’s combat efficiency, which is borne from the right combinations of man and machine integration as well as effective methods, tactics and doctrine.

Highlights of the Exercise included the operational briefing and giving of orders by the Commander 013 Quick Response Force, Squadron Leader Victor Uba along with his sub-unit  and component commanders, which was held behind closed doors. 


This was immediately followed by seamless execution of the operational plan, which featured live firing of canons and rockets from NAF fixed and rotary wing attack aircraft, followed by insertion of CSAR operatives as well as fast-roping and rappelling of NAF SF (the PANTHERS) and K-9 elements and movement of teams to the objective area. 

There was also logistics re-supply of ammunition to the assaulting forces by tactical air-drop from a helicopter and subsequent rescue of the downed pilots in hostile environment, extraction of the assault team by air while being provided with close air support by an attack helicopter overhead the objective area. 

DEFENCE

Police Intensify Security in Cross River Ahead of Easter Festival

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The Cross River Police command says it has beefed up security across the State preparatory to the celebration of Easter festival.

Mr. Gyogon Grimah, the Commissioner of Police, made this known in Calabar on Monday.

According to him, the tactical teams of the Police as well as other regular formations have been deployed at strategic positions within the state to secure the lives and property of the residents during the festival.

This is contained in a statement signed by the command spokesperson, SP Irene Ugbo and made available to newsmen in Calabar on Monday.

The CP who felicitated with the people of the state and Christian faithful, directed for close surveillance activities, foot/vehicular patrols, and visibility policing across, to forestall security breaches during the period.

He said the Police Area Commanders, Divisional Police Oficers (DPOs) and Tactical Commanders were directed to ensure safety and security of the general public before, during and after the event.

“The Police Command will not fold its hand and watch any group or individuals under whatever guise to obstruct or cause breakdown of law and order.”

“I urge all public spirited individuals to volunteer useful and genuine information to the Police and support the Police and other security agencies to ensure peaceful coexistence in the state and the nation as a whole,” he appealed,” he said

He enjoins citizens residing in the state to go about their lawful businesses without fear or panic.(NAN)

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DEFENCE

Air Force Knocks out Terrorists’ Enclaves Near Lake Chad

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The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the Air Component of the military special task force, “Operation Hadin Kai’’, has continued to decimate terrorists and their hideouts at Tumbuns near Lake Chad.

NAF’s Director, Public Relations and Information, AVM Edward Gabkwet, stated on Monday in Abuja that intelligence report received made airstrikes on a location Northwest of Arina Woje in Tumbuns on Sunday imperative.

He explained that the report indicated the presence of terrorists’ hideouts at the location.

He added that the report also confirmed an activation of terrorists’ activities around clusters of structures concealed under trees near the location.

“A post-strike Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralised and their hideouts set ablaze, thereby degrading their capabilities to attack surface forces.

“These strikes have also degraded the capabilities of terrorist elements operating in the region to attack innocent civilians residing near Arina Woje in Borno,’’ Gabkwet stated. (NAN)

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DEFENCE

Army’ll Continue to Build Capacity to Surmount Security Threats -GOC

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The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division Nigeria, Maj.-Gen  Mayirenso Saraso, says the Nigerian Army will continue  to build the  capacity of its Officers and men to enable them surmount the emerging security threats.

The GOC stated this at a three-day capacity building for 1 Division Operations Planning Cadre 2024 for Officers on Monday in Kaduna.

Saraso said the avenue was to bring together the participants of the ranks of Captains to Colonels in the divsion’s Area of Responsibility to build cohesion and synergize with sister security agencies.

“The training is organized to refresh us on the various aspects of operations planning process in order to enhance our

skills and improve capacity in single and joint service operations planning process,” he said.

The GOC  said this was in line with the Chief of

Army Staff’s command philosophy.

It is: ‘ To Transform the Nigerian Army into a Well-trained, Equipped and Highly Motivated Force Towards Achieving our Constitutional Responsibilities within a Joint Environment’.

Saraso said, “As we are all witnessing, warfare is becoming increasingly complex due to changes in the nature of threats and

advancement in technology.

“In view of this, armies world over

are continually engaged in training and capacity building to enable them surmount emerging security challenges.”

According to the GOC,  the Nigerian Army  equally recognizes these changes and therefore, seeks to develop capacity through realistic training that will enhance its

operations.

He explained that the division’s experiences in Birnin Gwari,Falgore, Kagara and other forests, among others, had helped it to draw useful lessons and identify gaps in the conduct of its operations.

The GOC said the  1 Division Operations Planning Cadre for this year was expected to explore ways of building on existing efforts by it to meet its operational needs in the areas of Warfare Operations Planning.

“Others are military decision making process, intelligence preparation of the battle space and logistics in operational planning amongst others, “he said.

Saraso  urged the participants to have an open mind in order to derive maximum benefits from the cadre.

The GOC appreciated  the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja  for providing the resources for the cadre, his exemplary and inspiring leadership, support motivation to the division..(NAN)

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