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NAF Inducts Helicopter Reactivated Locally in Port Harcourt

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 By Gom Mirian Abuja 

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has inducted into service another EC-135 Helicopter, NAF 549, which was reactivated in-country by NAF personnel in collaboration with some technical partners from within and outside Nigeria.

The induction of NAF 549 on Saturday, 24th August 2019, at the NAF 115 Special Operations Group (115 SOG) in Port Harcourt signifies the substantial progress the Service has made in its bid to continually build capacity to cope with technological advancements in the field of military aviation and further prosecute the various ongoing operations in the Country.

It could be recalled that the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, was in Port Harcourt in 2018 to unveil an Mi-35P helicopter, NAF 531, after an in-country Life Extension Programme, which was successfully conducted in Nigeria for the first time since the helicopter was inducted into the NAF in Year 2000.


 
In his remarks during the ceremony, the CAS noted that the addition of the newly re-activated EC-135 helicopter would be a force multiplier in the effort of the Service to secure the lives and property of Nigerians as well as protect the territorial integrity of the Country.

He added that the successful in-country reactivation of the helicopter has enabled the NAF to save scarce foreign exchange that would have been expended in carrying out the Periodic Depot Maintenance (PDM) abroad.

In addition, Air Marshal Abubakar explained that the in-country reactivation has enabled the transfer of required skills and expertise to NAF technicians, thereby helping the Service build additional capacity to sustain its operations.

According to him, “this is in line with the Service’s projected end state, which is to ensure that in the near future, the NAF would have sufficiently domiciled the technical expertise and technological know-how to conduct the full spectrum of maintenance activities locally using its own engineers, technicians and resources”.
 
Speaking further, the CAS added that in order to ensure adequate manning and capacity building for crew of its various helicopter fleets, the Service was conducting various initial and advanced training for NAF helicopter pilots both locally and overseas.

He stated that the Service recently approved the training of 10 helicopter pilots by Cobham Helicopter in the United Kingdom.

“We have also commenced the tactical training of NAF helicopter pilots at the 405 Helicopter Combat Training Group (405 HCTG) Enugu in order to build their capacity to function more effectively in complex air and ground environments.

All these efforts are being made to enable the NAF build its core competencies towards the employment of air power in the discharge of our constitutional responsibilities”, he added.
 
Air Marshal Abubakar restated his commitment to enhancing the welfare of personnel through the provision of conducive work and home environments for personnel and their families to enable them continue to put in their best in support of the various Internal Security operations across the Country.

This, he said, would include the provision of additional married accommodation for Officers and Senior Non Commissioned Officers (SNCOs) in Port Harcourt as well as the eventual upgrade of Air Force Secondary School Port Harcourt to a boarding school.

The CAS also used the opportunity to express the profound gratitude of the Service to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, for the priority given to NAF’s efforts in maintaining its platforms and equipment as well as the support given to acquire new platforms such as the A-29 Super Tucano, JF-17 fighter aircraft, Mi-35M, Augusta A-109 Power and AW-139 helicopters.
 
Earlier, while delivering his welcome address, the Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command (AOC TAC), Air Vice Marshal Charles Owho, represented by the Chief of Staff, Air Commodore Shehu Bakari, expressed his delight for the enabling environment the current leadership of the NAF has granted the Command to display its ingenuity towards the achievement of the landmark feat.

He added that the reactivation would no doubt contribute to the actualization of one of the key drivers of the CAS’ Vision, which is, “robust logistics support and maintenance culture to sustain platforms and equipment serviceability”.
 
The reactivation programme of NAF 549, which had been unserviceable since June 2013 before its handover to the NAF in 2016, commenced on 10 January 18, with critical assessment of the helicopter, and the entire work was completed in June 2019.

The helicopter is one of the three EC -135 helicopters inherited by the NAF from the NNPC.

The other 2 EC 135 Helicopters, NAF 547 and NAF 548, have been reactivated in-Country and have since been deployed for operations.

Highlight of the event was the conduct of a Functional Check Flight (FCF) by pilots of the 115 SOG, under the guidance of the Commander, Air Commodore Elijah Ebiowe, to certify the aircraft ready for flight operations.

After which the technical documents for the aircraft were handed over to the CAS by the Chief of Aircraft Engineering CAcE, AVM Musa Mukhtar, who subsequently handed these over to the AOC TAC for safekeeping.

Also present at the induction ceremony were the Commander Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral A Akinrinade, as well as other serving and retired military officers and heads of other security agencies in Rivers State.
 
Before leaving Port Harcourt, the CAS, who was accompanied on the operational visit by other senior officers from Headquarters NAF, also had an interactive session with officers, airmen and airwomen of NAF units in Port Harcourt and other locations in the South South Geo-Political Zone.

The session was aimed at keeping the personnel informed about the policy directions of the Service while also receiving feedback as well as suggestions from them on how to move the Service forward for effective and efficient service delivery

DEFENCE

Police Rescue Robbery Suspect From Irate Mob, Recover Pistol in Enugu

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 The police command in Enugu State has rescued an armed robbery suspect from irate mob and recovered a locally made pistol from him.

The command Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, in a statement on Monday in Enugu, said that the suspect (names withheld) was rescued from the mob on June 8, at about 8p.

m. within the Independence Layout, Enugu.

Ndukwe said that the feat was achieved through credible intelligence by a combined team of police operatives from the Independence Layout Division, Anti-Cultism Squad, working in collaboration with members of the Neighbourhood Watch.

“A locally fabricated pistol was recovered from him, while his cohorts reportedly fled the scene.

“The suspect, who sustained severe injuries inflicted by the irate mob, is currently receiving medical treatment.

“He (allegedly) confessed to being a member of the Black Axe Confraternity, while discreet investigations are ongoing to apprehend his fleeing accomplices,” he said.

Ndukwe said that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, had commended the swift and collaborative efforts of the police operatives and community members that led to the arrest and recovery.

He said that the commissioner, however, strongly cautioned against mob actions and jungle justice, adding that such acts undermined proper investigation and the delivery of justice in criminal cases. (NAN)

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UNIPORT, Police Confirm Killing of Student by Suspected Security Operatives

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 The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) has confirmed the death of Godwin Akpakpan, a 300-level student of Computer Science, who was allegedly killed by unidentified security personnel.

Akpakpan was reportedly apprehended by security operatives during a stop-and-search operation in Port Harcourt.

The incident occurred late on April 16, as the deceased was returning from his brother’s lounge.

An eyewitness familiar with the incident told NAN that while the officers were conducting a search on Akpakpan, an altercation ensued between the security personnel and a group of individuals dressed in military uniform.

The confrontation escalated into an exchange of gunfire, during which Akpakpan was struck by a stray bullet and died at the scene.

Dr Sam Kpenu, Head of Information, Publications and Public Relations at UNIPORT, confirmed to journalists that the deceased was a registered student at the institution.

He stated that the university received news of the incident with profound shock and had commenced an internal inquiry to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

“UNIPORT is also actively engaging with the relevant security authorities to gain a comprehensive understanding of the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.

“We anticipate a thorough investigation and expect that appropriate action will be taken to hold those responsible accountable,” he said.

Kpenu urged students and other members of the university community to remain calm and to allow the relevant agencies to carry out their investigations without disruption.

He affirmed the university’s unwavering commitment to the safety, dignity, and welfare of its staff and students, stating that necessary measures would continue to be implemented to uphold the principles.

“We extend our condolences to the Akpakpan family, his friends, and colleagues during this deeply distressing time.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with them,” Kpenu concluded.

SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the Police Command in Rivers, also confirmed the death of Akpakpan, stating that the command had launched an investigation into the incident.

The fatal shot was not fired by a police officer, but rather by personnel identified as belonging to the military.

However, she declined to reveal the specific security agency involved.

“The Police Command is aware of the incident that resulted in the death of a 300-level student of UNIPORT.

“The command, in collaboration with a sister security agency, has commenced an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the student’s death.

“Preliminary findings indicate that the shot was fired by a military personnel,” Iringe-Koko stated. (NAN)

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Enugu Govt Will Support all Initiatives Promoting Safety on Roads – Gov. Mbah

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Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu  State has assured residents of the state that his administration will continue to prioritize and support all initiatives promoting safety on roads.

Mbah gave the assurance in an address at the 2025 National Workshop for Driving School Proprietors and Instructors holding in Enugu on Thursday.

The theme of the two-day workshop was “Entrenching Highway Safety in Nigeria Through Standardised Drivers and Riders Training”.

Represented by the state’s Commissioner for Special Duties, Chief Sunday Ajogwu, the governor noted that the state would continue to put up legislative support, infrastructure investments or policy reforms to ensure avoidable accidents were checked on roads.

“We recognise that transportation safety is not merely a technical issue – it is a moral imperative.

“Let us not reduce this workshop to another ceremonial gathering, but rather, let it be a transformational platform that strengthens the building blocks of a safer road in Nigeria,” he said.

Mbah also congratulated the FRSC leadership, particularly the Corps Marshal and the training department for their vision and dedication.

In an address, the Corps Marshal of FRSC, Mallam Shehu Mohammed, said that driving school remained the first point of contact between would-be drivers and the culture of road safety.

Represented by the Deputy Corps Marshal, Mr Chidiebere Nkwonta, the Corps Marshal noted that “if the foundation at the driving school is weak, no amount of enforcement, engineering, or emergency response could sufficiently bridge gap.”

According to him, it is, therefore, critical that all driving school proprietors and instructors recognise the sacredness of their role in nation building.

He said: “Our Driving Schools Standardization Programme (DSSP) was established as a comprehensive framework to improve the quality, uniformity, and integrity of drivers training nationwide.

“Since its inception, we have witnessed significant progress through improved training curricula; adoption of driving simulators in approved schools; increased compliance with minimum operational standards; and a more structured and credible licensing process.

“However, there are still significant gaps.

“Some schools continue to cut corners. Some prioritise profit over safety. Some struggle with infrastructural deficits, regulatory compliance, and the professional development of their instructors.”

The corps marshal said that the workshop would provide the opportunity to collectively address these gaps.

“The selected lecture topics including the examination of the trucking industry’s impact on highway safety, the economic prospects standardized rider training, and an honest reflection on the DSSP journey are – designed to challenge our assumptions, and inspire collective action.

“Moreover, the second day’s Technical Session is particularly critical. It acknowledges the reality that regulation without consultation often breeds resentment and non-compliance,” he added.

He said that years of organising the annual driving school training had yielded incremental reorientation among drivers especially as all driving schools followed the DSSP protocols and guidelines before a license is issued.

Speaking, an Honourary FRSC Special Marshal, Chief Felix Ajim, commended the FRSC management for finding practical solutions to the challenges confronting the driving school industry leading to poor driving culture and avoidable accidents.

“We appreciate the FRSC management for the humanitarian efforts to ensure that all road users are safe and the corps is doing it in a proactive manner, starting with the first point a would-be driver, beginning from – the approved FRSC Driving Schools,” he said.

The State Director of Vehicles Inspection Office (VIO), Mr Val Chime, said that the place of VIO testing examination for all would-be driver should never be jettison as it completes the training of a would-be driver before obtaining a license.

Responding, Mrs Gloria Ugbebo, a driving instructor with Intergrated Automative Services Limited, Calabar, thanked the FRSC for standardising and sanitising driving in the country through a uniformed DSSP protocols and guidelines.

Ugbebo, one of the participants at the workshop, said, “The FRSC regulations have brought dignity and procedure in the driving school industry and the yearly training have continue to shape the industry for the better.”

The two-day workshop is being attended by driving school proprietors and instructors from Cross River, Ebonyi and Enugu States. (NAN)

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