DEFENCE
NAF ‘wings’ 17 Young Pilots, urges re-Dedication to Duty

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has winged 17 young pilots who successfully completed their various flying training courses.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
According to him, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, while winging the pilots, during the opening of the 2022 Air Operational Seminar in Uyo, implored them to be prepared for the arduous task ahead.
The CAS said that there was no better way to launch them into their operational flying career than to have them draw from the rich operational experiences of seasoned pilots during the seminar.
He said that the seminar will facilitate discussions on germane issues relevant to air operations.
Amao specifically reminded them to always adhere to laid down Rules of Engagement while also taking all necessary steps to protect civilians and minimise casualties during operations.
“The efforts to mitigate civilian casualties are not just a reflection of NAF values as a service, but also strategically imperative to our operations,” he added.
The CAS assured Nigerians that the nation’s Armed Forces had so far made significant gains in curtailing and degrading the miscreants that seek to destabilise Nigeria.
He particularly commended the efforts of NAF at unleashing the coercive effects of air power, particularly on insurgents through intensive air interdiction of their locations and facilities.
“These punitive strikes have degraded their resources, disrupted their supply lines and denied them their freedom of movement,” Amao said.
The theme of the seminar is “Harnessing Nigerian Air Force Combat Experience in Joint Military Operations for Doctrinal Development”.
Amao explained that the theme was borne out of the need to draw instructions from the diverse and rich air combat experiences, to develop sound doctrinal principles to guide future engagements.
This, he added, was largely because lessons learnt from previous campaigns remained veritable sources of inputs for doctrinal development.
“Hence, the need to reappraise our past operational successes and failures to restrategise towards a more operationally effective NAF that can contribute to expeditiously ending the current scourge of insecurity.”
Amao stressed the need for the participants to take cognisance of the dynamism and complexities of the ever-changing security environment.
He also charged them to adopt strategies that would promote NAF’s retention of credible air power capability to prosecute current and future warfare.
In his remarks, the Governor of Akwa Ibom, Mr Udom Emmanuel, said that NAF has lived up to its statutory responsibilities over the years, considering its successful exploits in Sierra Leone, Liberia, the Gambia and Mali.
This, Emmanuel said, had tremendously accorded great international recognition for the country.
He added that the professionalism of NAF under the leadership of Amao has further given the country a sense of hope and security.
The governor acknowledged the great sacrifices that Nigeria’s prestigious serving and retired airmen have made and continue to make towards the peace and progress of the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on the sidelines of the event, NAF would on Oct. 28, be conducting Sea Flying/Training Exercise using some selected NAF aircraft.
The aim of the exercise is to showcase the capabilities of NAF as well as its presence in the ongoing air operations against crude oil theft in the South-South region of the country.
It is also to improve aircrew skills in tactical aspects of maritime operations thus enhancing their capabilities.(NAN)
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)