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
Police Intensify Security in Cross River Ahead of Easter Festival
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)
DEFENCE
Air Force Knocks out Terrorists’ Enclaves Near Lake Chad
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)
DEFENCE
Army’ll Continue to Build Capacity to Surmount Security Threats -GOC
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)