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DEFENCE

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

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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

NAF Names Crew, Passengers on Board ill-fated Flight

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The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) has released the names of personnel and passengers in the crashed NAF 931 aircraft.

This is contained in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.

The crew members and passengers lost their lives in the crash involving Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, in Igbokoda area of Ondo State on Monday.

Ejodame listed the crew members as Sqn. Ldr MI Aburime (Flight Captain), Sqn. Ldr AP Man-Ugwueje (Co-pilot), Flt.-Lt. IS Bako (Co-pilot), Warrant Officer Abubakar A (Aircraft Technician) and Cpl.

Uguru HC (Aircraft Technician).

He said the passengers included Flt.-Lt. TL Lazarus, Flt.-Lt. M Akinloye, Flying Officer IM Adeshina, Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F, Master Warrant Officer Matini BA, Warrant Officer Nuhu FS, Flight Sergeant James RB and Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI.

Others he said were Sgt. Ani AE, Sgt. Izibenikien SI, Sgt. Alafuka C, Sgt. Mbadugha AN, Lance Cpl. Ugwuba FC, Lance Cpl. Eledan GE, Mrs Ezeh Nneka, Godstmine Tarabina, Joy Micheal, Sunday Micheal, Ukeme David and Gideon Omotola.

The NAF director of public relations and information also said that the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke had expressed condolences to the families of the personnel and passengers.

He quoted Aneke as describing the incident as a deeply painful moment for the NAF and the nation.

The CAS expressed heartfelt sympathies to families, loved ones and colleagues of those who lost their lives.

He assured the bereaved families of the service’s full support during the difficult period, while also directing a comprehensive investigation to establish circumstances surrounding the accident.

He also assured that the NAF would continue to provide timely and verified updates as investigation progresses and urged the public to refrain from speculation and circulation of unverified information, while respecting privacy and dignity of affected families.

“A condolence register has been opened at Headquarters NAF, Abuja, for senior government officials, members of diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies, and other well-wishers who may wish to pay respects and convey messages of sympathy to families of the deceased and the NAF,” he said.

25 persons comprising five crew members and 20 passengers were onboard the aircraft which was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the crash occurred.

It was reported that search and rescue procedures were immediately activated in coordination with relevant authorities to locate and account for all persons on board.(NAN)

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DEFENCE

Police Nab 32 Suspects, Recover 10 Firearms, 43 Vehicles in September

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The Police Command in Lagos State says it apprehended 32 suspects and recovered 10 firearms, 43 vehicles and N2.5 million during various operations across the state in September.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police(CP), Fatai Tijani, disclosed this on Monday while briefing newsmen on the command’s achievements for the month at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja.

Tijani said the command also impounded 43 vehicles during an early-morning enforcement operation on Monday against vehicles with covered number plates and unregistered vehicles, adding that further checks were ongoing.

He said the command arrested the suspects in connection with armed robbery, cultism, unlawful possession of firearms, stealing, breaking and entering, public disturbance and other violent crimes.

The CP said the command recovered 20 live ammunition and cartridges, 15 expended ammunition, two cutlasses, suspected criminal charms and other incriminating exhibits.

He added that the firearms comprised five pump-action guns and five locally made pistols.

Tijani said a 32-year-old suspect was arrested during a routine patrol along Oko Oba Road after some suspected hoodlums allegedly fled on sighting the police.

“A search of the suspect led to the recovery of a locally made cut-to-size pistol, radiator, car jack, engine block and a bag containing vehicle spare parts and tools,” he said.

The commissioner said a 29-year-old suspected armed robber was also arrested in connection with the alleged robbery of a man at Ghost and Spirit Lounge, Ekoro Road, Abule Egba.

“The suspect was arrested at the Toll Gate, Lagos-Ogun boundary, following investigation into the Sept. 26 incident, in which armed men allegedly robbed the victim of his gold wrist chain and rings.

“Efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of the gang and recover the remaining exhibits,” he said.

He said police also arrested a suspect in connection with an alleged conspiracy and stealing case involving a gang that reportedly travelled from Idi-Oro, Mushin, to the Chevron area of Lekki-Ajah.

According to him, the suspect led operatives to a hotel room in Idi-Oro, where N2.5 million and three mobile phones were recovered.

The CP said three suspected robbers were also arrested in Idi-Oro, while intelligence obtained during investigation led to the recovery of a pump-action gun and 11 live cartridges at Igbogbo, Ikorodu.

He added that another suspect was arrested in Olorunsogo, Mushin, where a locally made Beretta pistol and four live 9mm ammunition were recovered.

Tijani said the suspect allegedly confessed to membership of the Eiye Confraternity, while two other suspected cultists, aged 27 and 35, were arrested at Ganyigbo Beach Yard.

He said 12 suspected members of the Eiye Confraternity were also arrested in Imeke, Badagry, with a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, two vehicle keys, a locally made cut-to-size gun and suspected criminal charms recovered.

According to him, seven of the suspects had been charged to court, while investigation continued to apprehend other members and recover additional arms.

The commissioner further disclosed that police arrested a 15-year-old suspected arms courier at Capa, Oshodi, while allegedly transporting firearms and ammunition concealed inside a loaf of bread.

He said a locally made Beretta pistol, four rounds of unexpended 9mm ammunition and a locally made single-barrel cut-to-size gun were recovered from the suspect, while further investigation led to the recovery of an additional cut-to-size gun and 11 cartridges.

Tijani said the command also arrested a 53-year-old man in Ojo for alleged unlawful possession of a locally made pistol and six suspected hoodlums over alleged breaking, looting and destruction of property along Ejigbo–Idimu Road.

He said another suspect was arrested in Badagry for alleged unlawful possession of a firearm and public disturbance, adding that two victims had so far made statements against him.

Tijani said the command would continue to protect police personnel lawfully carrying out their duties while holding accountable officers whose conduct fell below expected standards.

He commended the officers and operatives for the breakthroughs and appreciated members of the public for their cooperation and timely provision of credible information. (NAN)

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DEFENCE

Troops Foil Two Abduction Attempts, Rescue 10 Victims in Zamfara

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By David Torough, Abuja

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have foiled two separate abduction attempts and rescued 10 people in operations across Zamfara State.

The military said the incidents occurred on Sunday, September 27, 2026, in Maru and Tsafe Local Government Areas of the state.

In Maru, troops of Sector 2 responded to information that terrorists had abducted villagers at Kade Daba Village in Kanoma District.

The troops engaged the attackers and rescued three victims, while a subsequent search of the area led to the rescue of another victim, bringing the total rescued at the location to four.

In a separate incident along the Tsafe-Funtua road, troops conducting a picketing operation near Kwanoni heard sporadic gunshots and moved towards the area. They encountered terrorists withdrawing through surrounding high ground and engaged them, forcing the attackers to flee.

According to the military, the terrorists had set a Sharon vehicle ablaze while attempting to abduct its occupants. The occupants escaped before the vehicle was completely consumed by fire.

Six other people were rescued from another vehicle that reportedly lost control as a result of the gunfire. The vehicle was later towed away from the road to restore traffic flow.

The Theatre Commander of Operation FANSAN YAMMA commended the troops for their vigilance and swift response, saying their actions helped protect civilians along major roads and communities within the task force’s area of responsibility.

The commander also reaffirmed the task force’s commitment to sustained operations against terrorists in the North West and urged residents to provide timely and credible information about suspicious movements and activities to security agencies through official channels.

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