DEFENCE
NAF Graduates 435 Personnel from Sundry Courses

By Gom Mirian, Abuja
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has completed the training of another set of 435 personnel on sundry courses at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Kaduna.
The combined graduation, which took place Monday, comprised 75 officers who completed the initial personnel Administrative Management officer’s course and 369 airmen and women from the integrated Basic clerical course to support NAF’s operations
Director, Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola in a statement said the Graduation according to the Chief of Air Staff(CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar was to ensure that NAF personnel possess the requisite knowledge and skill sets to effectively support NAF operations.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony, Air Marshal Abubakar noted that for over 40 years AFIT had consistently trained officers and airmen/airwomen who are performing creditably in supporting NAF operations as specialists in aircraft and armament engineering, works and services, supply management as well as Information and Communication Technology.
The CAS expressed his satisfaction that AFIT was able to successfully complete the training of 764 personnel during the year, including the 435 graduating students, despite the COVID-19 Pandemic.
He added that the technical and logistics management courses conducted by AFIT have helped tremendously to reduce dependence on expatriates and thus save foreign exchange for the Nation.
“The execution of air operations in theatres across Nigeria, using solely Nigerian crews, engineers, technicians and controllers, is a testament of the success story of our capacity building initiatives,” he said.
The CAS further noted that in the area of pilots’ training, 2 officers, including the first female fighter pilot, were about to conclude their tactical training on the Alpha Jet aircraft, while 29 officers of Student Pilots’ Course 46 (SP 46) recently completed their ab-initio pilot training
Abubakar further disclosed that, on September 18, 24 Special Forces (SF) personnel qualified as rappelling instructors, while another 219 Regiment personnel commenced training at the Regiment Training Centre Annex in Bauchi to become NAF SF personnel.
He observed that the courses would undoubtedly have positive impact on the NAF’s operations, thus further positioning the Service into a highly professional and disciplined force.
In his address, the Commandant AFIT, while appreciating the relentless support of Headquarters NAF, stated that the basic courses were aimed at introducing the officers and men to their various trades in preparation for deployment to the field.
According to him, the skills acquired at the training would enable them carry out their responsibilities at the basic level while they ready themselves for more specialized functions as they progress in their careers.
The initial training in aircraft maintenance, he said, serves as their first engagement which would inculcate safety practices and quality assurance procedure
DEFENCE
Zulum Offers N5m Each to Families of 8 Slained CJTF Members

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has donated N5 million each to the families of eight members of Civilian Joint Task Force ( CJTF) who recently died in an explosion on the Dikwa to Marte road.
Zulum who made this known on Friday during a condolence visit to the families of deceased in Maiduguri, also granted scholarship to their children.
The Civilian CJTF is a volunteer security group that supports military operations against insurgents in Borno State and other parts of the North-East.
” I want to announce a financial assistance of N5 million to each of the bereaved families to cater for their immediate needs.
” Furthermore, the Borno Government will provide full educational scholarship to all children of the deceased CJTF members.
” For those who left no children, we shall extend assistance to their close family members,” he said.
The governor said the gesture was part of his administration’s commitment to assisting the families of security personnel and members of the CJTF who paid the supreme price of defending his people
Zulum described the deceased as martyrs who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of their communities and assured that their bravery would always be remembered.
He prayed for the repose of their souls of the deceased and urged the bereaved families to take solace in the heroic legacy left behind by their loved ones.
The CJTF operatives died on Tuesday after they ran into an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in the area.(NAN)
DEFENCE
Police Nab 5 Suspected Cultists, Recover Firearms in A’Ibom

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom says it has arrested five suspected cultists and recovered firearms at Ibesikpo Asutan area of the state.
DSP Timfon John, the Police Public Relations Officer, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Uyo.
John said the arrests took place at the cultists’ hideout in Ikot Etuk village, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area on Wednesday.
She said that the operatives of the command, based on credible information, arrested the cultists.
John said that during the operation, operatives recovered one locally made pistol, one fabricated single-barrel gun and assorted charms.
According to her, the suspects have voluntarily provided useful information to the police regarding their criminal activities.
“This includes their involvement in a recent attack on Fulani herdsmen, which resulted in the killing of two cows.
“The stolen cows were reportedly shared among various cult groups within Ibesikpo Asutan,” she said.
John said that efforts were currently underway to apprehend other fleeing gang members and recover their operational weapons.
The spokesman further said the developments would be communicated to the public as they unfold. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Police Arrest 4 Suspects, Recover Stolen Property in A’Ibom

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom said it had arrested four suspected criminals in Udi Street in Uyo and recovered numerous stolen items.
DSP Timfon John, the Command’s Public Relations Officer said this in a statement in Uyo on Monday.
John said that the suspects were arrested base on credible intelligence and in compliance with the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare’s directive.
She said that an operation which was inaugurated last Friday at exactly 1:15 a.
m., led to the arrest of the four suspects.”In a significant intelligence-led operation, operatives of the command raided a location in Udi Street, leading to the arrest of two individuals and the recovery of numerous stolen items.
The raid also resulted in the arrest of another two suspected receivers of stolen property,” she explained.
The command’s image maker said that exhibit including 14 sewing machine heads and a generator were recovered from the suspects.
According to her, two complainants have come forward and identified their stolen machines among the recovered items.
She added that investigation into the matter was ongoing. (NAN)