Security

NAF Sets December 13 for Aptitude Test

By Web News 427

By Rasheedah Makinde

The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has published the list of shortlisted candidates for the 2025 Basic Military Training Course aptitude test.

In a statement, Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said applicants can check their status on the NAF recruitment portal at nafrecruitment.airforce.mil.ng.

According to him, the aptitude test will take place on December 13, 2025, across 15 designated centres nationwide, with activities commencing by 7:00 a.m.

Air Commodore Ejodame advised all shortlisted applicants to report early to their centres with their acknowledgement slips and required writing materials, stressing that the items are compulsory for participation.

He reaffirmed the Air Force’s commitment to a transparent and merit-based recruitment process, aimed at selecting the most qualified young Nigerians to serve the country with honour and professionalism.

Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle

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Security

Ogun Partners NAF on Airport Security

By Web News 145

By Abimbola Bamgbose 

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the Nigerian Air Force ,NAF, to bolster security and foster aviation growth.

Governor Abiodun stated this on Monday during a meeting with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, at the NAF Headquarters in Abuja.

During the discussions which focused on areas of mutual interest, particularly the development of the Gateway International Airport, Governor Abiodun emphasized that his vision was to position the Gateway International Airport as a key hub for trade, investment, and logistics.

He highlighted the critical role of the Nigerian Air Force in ensuring the security and smooth operation of the airport, and that the state would also to fostering strategic partnerships with other security agencies to safeguard lives and property while driving economic prosperity.

Governor Abiodun commended Air Marshal Abubakar for his proactive and responsive approach to the initiative.

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Security

NAF Graduates 12 New Combat Pilots

By Web News 355

The Chief of the Air Staff, CAS, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has winged 12 new combat pilots from the Basic Flying Course-20 at the 403 Flying Training School, Kano.

This was according to a statement on Thursday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, NAF, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet.

The CAS charged the pilots to justify the efforts and resources invested in their training by contributing their best towards sustaining the successes recorded in the various theatres of operation within the country.

Abubakar said that the NAF had continued to conduct independent and joint operations aimed at decimating the criminals and denying them freedom of action as well as shaping the operational environment in the various theatres.

He said the efforts could only be sustained with the injection of new and vibrant pilots to add energy and bite to the operations.

Abubakar said the new combat pilots were being injected at a time when NAF had immensely benefitted from the Federal Government’s determination to provide necessary platforms and equipment in the fight against terrorism, insurgency and other forms of criminality.

According to him, the acquisition of new platforms comes with the attendant consequences on manpower, training, and operating costs.

“This challenge is further exacerbated by the anticipated arrival of an array of new platforms such as the M-346, AH-1Z, A-109 Trekker, and the remaining T-129 ATAK helicopters.

“For NAF to bridge the manpower gaps currently experienced, a three-year training plan to commence from January 2024 must be sustained amid the availability of funding.

“It is in view of this projection that the graduation of the Basic Flying Course 20 is gladdening, as it serves to bridge the pilot deficiency gap,” The News Agency of Nigeria quoted him as saying.

The Air Chief further reminded the newly winged pilots of the current security environment, which, he said, had remained fluid and unpredictable due to threats posed by terrorists in the North as well as an upsurge in banditry and kidnapping activities across the country.

According to him, there still exist some threats to Nigeria’s unity and cohesion as posed by secessionist groups in the South-East, just as the theft of crude oil in the South-South has continued to threaten the economic well-being of the country.

He reminded the pilots to be aware that the journey was far from over, hence the need to continually strive to elevate the NAF to greater heights.

Earlier, the Air Officer Commanding Air Training Command, AVM Nnamdi Ananaba, said the graduation represented the final phase of a series of training activities aimed at producing fully qualified pilots for the NAF.

Punch/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

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Security

NAF Neutralises Terrorists in Kaduna

By Web News 346

Several terrorists were killed during an air operation conducted by the air component of Operation Whirl Punch in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The operation was carried out following an intelligence report that a terrorist kingpin, identified as Boderi and his members, was at the location.

 The Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air  Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said, in a statement on Sunday, that the air operations were successful, prompting the service to embark on another operation targeted at Boderi’s brother.

He said the two brothers were responsible for several attacks on communities in the state and its environs.

He said, “Nigerian Air Force aircraft under Operation Whirl Punch have sustained air strikes against terrorists operating in the North-West and North Central region of the country, leading to the decimation of several terrorist elements at Tsauni Doka at Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

“The strikes became necessary following credible intelligence revealed the presence of a terrorist kingpin known as Boderi and his foot soldiers at Tsauni Doka.

“Subsequently, air strikes were carried out on the location in the early hours of 16 November 2023, with devastating consequences on the terrorists. Similar strikes with positive outcomes were also carried out at a location about 500 metres east of Boderi’s hideout, believed to be the hiding place of Boderi’s brother, Nasiru. Both strikes were termed very successful as several terrorists were neutralised and their motorcycles destroyed.

“Boderi and his brother, Nasiru, alongside their cohorts, have been blamed for several attacks and abductions along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road as well as in several communities in Niger and Kaduna states.“

Punch/Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

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Security

NAF Neutralizes Terrorists in Borno

By Web News 403

The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, says the air components of operations Hadin Kai and Hadarin Daji have eliminated scores of terrorists in the stream of air strikes in their enclaves across the theatres.

The NAF disclosed this in a statement released by its Director, Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, on Sunday in Abuja.

Gabkwet said the air component in the early hours of Saturday carried out air interdiction missions at a newly identified terrorists’ hideout at Bukar Meram, near the Lake Chad region in Borno State.

He said the strikes became necessary after it was established that the recent relocation of terrorists from Suwa to the Bukar Meram general area, was to for possible resurgence of attacks on ground troops and innocent civilians.

According to him, air strikes were authorised at the location in Bukar Meram to decimate the terrorists.

“Feedback received after the strikes revealed the expected outcome was achieved as several terrorists were neutralised while over 40 motorcycles and six gun trucks were destroyed,” he said.

The NAF spokesman said that similar air strikes were carried out on terrorists on October 11 by the air component of Operation Haradin Daji around the Sangeko axis of Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara

The Nigerian Air Force says the air components of operations Hadin Kai and Hadarin Daji have eliminated scores of terrorists in the stream of air strikes in their enclaves across the theatres.

He said the terrorists, who were in a convoy of about 70 motorcycles on the road track from Kabaro towards Sangeko, were subsequently engaged with several terrorists and neutralised, adding that their motorcycles were destroyed and others injured.

Gabkwet said the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has commended the professionalism and dedication of the air components.

He quoted Abubakar as saying, “Your efforts and support to the ground troops is commendable. Stay focused and do not be complacent as we must continue to give our citizens the confidence they deserve to thrive.”

Punch/Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

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Human Angle

Tinubu Sorrow over NAF Officers, Lost to Copter Crash

By Web News 463

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu says he is saddened by the deaths of the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, officers who lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Niger State on Monday.

The crash of the NAF MI-171 helicopter occurred during a casualty evacuation operation near Chukuba village in Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.

In a statement on Tuesday, President Tinubu remarked that the officers would forever be etched in the memories of Nigerians as national heroes.

“Even in the face of duty, while engaged in an evacuation mission, these officers and men displayed unwavering commitment. Their unwavering service to our nation comes at the cost of the highest sacrifice,” President Tinubu stated.

The President lauded the officers’ courage, emphasising their selflessness in the execution of their national responsibility.

FRCN Abuja/Adetutu Adetule

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Yoruba

Ile Ise Ologun Ofurufu Bere Fun Afikun Owo Isuna Lati Koju Eto Aabo To Mehe

By Web News 824

Adari leka ti won ti nra nka ninu ile ise omo Ologun oju ofurufu, NAF, Ogagun Mohammed Yakubu ti so wipe awon omo ologun nilo owo o kete tan billion meji dollar lodoodun lati gbogunti igbesunmomi, ati awon ohun ti on fa bi eto aabo fi mehe nile yi.

O soro yi nibi ipade apero itagbangba eyiti igbimo teekoto ile igbimo asofin apapo keji lori oro aabo pe lori aba ofin sisatileyin fun, asunwon idawo fun ile ise omo ologun todun 2021 eyiti won fe fi wa ona miran ati wa owo fun awon omo ologun yato fun aba isuna won odoodun.

Ogagun Yakubu lasiko ti o nsalaye idi fun aba isuna so wipe awon to npe ohun elo awon omo ologun ni beere fun sisan owo won pe perepere saaju ipese won, to wa fikun wipe owo naa yio ni ninu dida awon omo ologun leko lori ilo awon irinse naa.

Adari leka ti won ti nra nkan naa tun so idi to fi sepataki lati ni aba isuna fun ile ise omo ologun ofurufu lati lee sise ti won gbe le won lowo doju amin.

Oluwayemisi Dada

Transportation

NAF Plane Disaster: CAS Institutes Investigation Into Cause of Crash

By Web News 1474

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshal Oladayo Amao, has instituted an investigative panel to determine the remote and immediate causes of the accident of its aircraft, that crashed while returning to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja after reporting engine failure enroute Minna, where it was scheduled to conduct surveillance missions over Niger State and its environs in connection with the concerted efforts to secure the release of the students/staff abducted from the Government Science College Kagara, Niger State.

In a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola, While the panel has commenced its work, the NAF, having notified the Next of Kins/family members of the deceased, announces that the following 7 personnel who lost their lives in the crash:

They are Flight Lieutenant Haruna Gadzama (Captain), Flight Lieutenant Henry Piyo (Co-Pilot),Flying Officer Micheal Okpara an Airborne Tactical Observation System,ATOS, Specialist.

Others are Warrant Officer Bassey Etim,ATOS Specialist, Flight Sergeant Olasunkanmi Olawunmi,ATOS Specialist, Sergeant Ugochukwu Oluka,ATOS Specialist and Aircraftman Adewale Johnson,Onboard Technician.

Earlier, the Chief of the Air Staff visited the scene of the accident, in company of the Honourable Minister of Defence, retired Major General Bashir Magashi, Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika; Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Lucky Irabor, and other Service Chiefs.

The CAS, on behalf of officers, airmen and airwomen of the NAF, commiserates with the families of the deceased personnel and prays that the Almighty God grants their souls eternal repose.

Chukwuma Agbanusi