The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Thursday, August 13, said it has deployed combat aircraft to aid in the counter terrorism fight in the north eastern part of the country.
Dele Alonge, the director, public relations and information NAF, said the combat aircraft is an addition to the aircraft already available in the area for the fight against insurgents.
Alonge, an Air Commodore said the deployment of these aircraft is a renewed determination to decimate the insurgents in the area, an effort channelled to support the “operation Lafiya Doyle”.
The deployment follows a recent visit by the, Sadiq Abubakar, chief of the air staff an Air Marshal to the operational areas.
“The newly deployed platforms include the F-7Ni fighter aircraft, Mi-24/35 attack helicopters, Agusta 109 LUH, Supa Puma Combat Support helicopter and ATR-42 surveillance aircraft which hitherto had been away for scheduled maintenance,”Alonge said.
The Nigerian air force since the anti – terrorism fight began has focused on aerial bombardment of areas inhabited by Boko Haram terrorists; clearing location for ground troops who engage the insurgents and then focus on mopping up of these areas.
Alonge said the provision of additional platforms in the North-East is in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s mandate to bring an end to insurgency in the North-East.
“The new deployment is aimed at boosting existing military efforts to defeat the Boko Haram Terrorists. It is also expected to enhance the capability of the Nigerian Armed Forces to fight in a more proactive and efficient manner,” he said.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari on August 13 decorated new services chiefs and given them ultimatum on the Boko Haram insurgency.
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