Banditry: NAF Intensifies Security In Zamfara, Deploys More Aerial Armament

The Nigeria Air force has intensified security in Zamfara state by deploying more aerial weapons. This is part of efforts to increase operational efficiency and precision

Four Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) as well as construction of a runway and ancillary facilities for the UCAVs in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital have been planned, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, disclosed during  a one-day operational visit to Gusau to inspect the site for the proposed runway and other facilities, which are expected to serve as the Northwest UCAV Base for the NAF.

The Air force chief said during a courtesy call on the Zamfara State Governor, Dr Bello Mohammed Matawalle, that he was in Zamfara State at the instance of the Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, who had authorized the construction of a runway and ancillary facilities in Gusau for the deployment of 4 newly acquired UCAVs to cover Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi and Katsina States as well as parts of Kaduna State.

He particularly thanked the Government and good people of Zamfara State for their support and hospitality to the NAF since the establishment of the 207 Quick Response Group (207 QRG) in the State while expressing satisfaction with reports that NAF personnel operating under Sector 1 of Operation HADARIN DAJI had been performing their assigned tasks professionally, in synergy with other security agencies, whilst also ensuring cordial relationship with host communities.

In a statement issued by Air Commodore, Ibikunle Daramola, NAF’ s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Marshal Sadiq  noted that the unmanned aircraft could remain airborne for up to 26 hours providing persistent presence over areas of interest.

He also  revealed that the four UCAVs were part of the 8 UAVs recently acquired by the Federal Government to enhance the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) as well as strike capabilities of the NAF not only in the fight against armed banditry in the Northwest and North Central but also in counterinsurgency operations in the North East.

According to him,  two UCAVs were to be deployed at the newly established 203 Combat Reconnaissance Group in Gombe and the two others at the Air Task Force, Operation LAFIYA DOLE Headquarters in Maiduguri, adding  that  new additional ones will compliment   the 22 brand new aircraft already acquired by the Federal Government for the NAF in the last 5 years, along with the 19 additional aircraft being expected before the end of the second quarter of 2021.

The CAS noted that these additional aircraft included 12 x A-29 Super Tucano attack aircraft, 3 x JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jets, an additional Mi-171E utility helicopter as well as 3 special missions aircraft that are expected to be handed over to the NAF from NIMASA for maritime air operations.

Speaking further, Air Marshal Abubakar revealed that about 195 NAF personnel were undergoing various ground and aircrew training in 9 different countries across the world to ensure that as soon as these additional aircraft arrive Nigeria they would be effectively and efficiently utilized to further enhance the security of Nigeria and Nigerians in the various theatres of operation.

He further disclosed that, while the main purpose of the new runway facility being constructed was to service the UCAVs, other aircraft could equally use the airfield once completed. He however noted that the deployment of the new UCAVs as well as the personnel to man them would require the emplacement of additional infrastructure at the NAF Base, which would undoubtedly require additional land.

He  therefore appealed to the Governor to provide the additional land for the NAF. The CAS ended his remarks by encouraging the Royal Fathers and Spiritual Leaders present at the event to support the NAF and other security agencies by providing intelligence which, he said, was critical to the effective conduct of operations in sub-conventional warfare scenarios like armed banditry. He noted that such information would always be treated with utmost confidentiality and further cross-checked for accuracy before use.

The CAS, who was accompanied on the visit by the Air Officer Commanding Special Operations Command, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Charles Ohwo as well as the NAF Chief of Logistics, AVM Mohammed Yakubu, and other senior NAF officers, was thereafter conducted by Governor Matawalle on a tour of the land allocated by the Zamfara State Government for the runway project.