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DEFENCE

NAF Wings First Female Fighter Pilot

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By Gom Mirian, Abuja 


The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) made history on recently with the decoration of the first female fighter pilot, Flying Officer Kafayat Sanni, and first female combat helicopter pilot, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, with their pilot wings. 
The two female NAF pilots were decorated alongside 11 other young officers after successful completion of their flying training courses.

 
Speaking at the event, the Special Guest of Honor (SGOH), the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Dame Pauline Tallen, noted that the winging of the first ever female fighter pilot and first female combat helicopter pilot produced by the NAF, was a commendable feat.
 
She affirmed that the NAF was a gender – friendly institution which has continually strived to provide equal opportunity for both male and female personnel, saying that this would, no doubt, encourage all personnel to strive to achieve excellence in their career. 
She said it was obvious that the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) was providing the right leadership and guidance to ensure the realization of the primary key driver of his Vision, which was hinged on human capacity development.

“We are indeed proud of the milestones attained by the NAF and the achievements of the Chief of the Air Staff,” she added.
According to her, the winging of the pilots is a demonstration of the preparedness of the NAF towards meeting Nigeria’s national security needs. 
While commending the newly winged pilots, the Minister emphasized the need for them to continue to work hard in order to add value to the operations of the NAF. 
The CAS, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, in his speech at said the ceremony indeed marked another milestone in the history of the NAF and expressed his delight over the achievement. He added that he was particularly happy because two of the 13 pilots winged were female Regular Combatant officers. 
According to him, the two female pilots were celebrated, not only because they are female officers, but also outstanding aviators. 
He disclosed that the first female fighter pilot was trained in the United States, following an excellent performance during her initial flying training course at 401 Flying Training School Kaduna, while the second graduated from Starlite International Academy.
Air Marshal Abubakar further affirmed the readiness of the NAF to continue to invest in human capacity building, since the Service is a veritable instrument for maintenance of national security. 
Adding that so far the NAF has trained a total of 67 Instructor pilots since 2015. 
 “Currently, we have 61 pilots undergoing ab-initio and basic flying training, while 50 are undergoing various forms of advanced flying training courses both locally and abroad”. 
He expressed confidence that the NAF and indeed Nigeria would soon reap the benefits that these pilots would undoubtedly add to NAF operations.

Also in his  address, the Chief of Training and Operations (CTOP), Air Vice Marshal Oladayo Amao, reiterated that the new pilots will no doubt boost the pilot manning capacity of the Service as their deployment to the various NAF platforms will enhance the fulfillment of the constitutional roles of the NAF, especially in the ongoing operations in the North – East and North – West regions.
 He noted that, under the leadership of Air Marshal Abubakar, the NAF has trained 22,841 personnel, comprising of 2,414 foreign trained and 20,427 locally-trained personnel, in different specialties over the last 4 years.
“With today’s ceremony, the NAF has successfully winged over 100 pilots in the last 4 years, who are now adding impetus to the fight against insurgency and other internal security operations in the country” He stated. 
During the ceremony, the NAF also decorated the first female Air Warrant Officer (AWO) in the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Grace Garba, with her new rank. AWO Garba was promoted to the highest rank in the Non-Commissioned Officers’ cadre for her exceptional hard work and contributions to the Service over the years.

DEFENCE

Police Intensify Security in Cross River Ahead of Easter Festival

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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)

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DEFENCE

Air Force Knocks out Terrorists’ Enclaves Near Lake Chad

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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)

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DEFENCE

Army’ll Continue to Build Capacity to Surmount Security Threats -GOC

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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)

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