olapluto:

Looks like Buratai is relatively inactive in terms of long term vision. He probably is bogged down by fighting BHTs and immediate security concerns. Notwithstanding, I think NA should do much better.

The US turned over a communications and operations centre to the Niger army on Monday to help the African nation battle Boko Haram.

The planning and operations control centre, worth $16.5 million, is designed to help Niger forces sychronise its operations through improved communications, US Ambassador Eric Whitaker said during the handover ceremony.

Niger has taken on an important geostrategic role in the US fight against Islamist extremist groups in Africa, and the centre known as a C2 Node comprises two tactical operations units equipped with sophisticated communications material. It aims to 'streamline pertinent battlefield information to commanders, so that they can best employ their forces,' a copy of Whitaker's remarks said.

The US has already provided Niger with Cessna C-208 surveillance planes, armoured personnel vehicles and small craft known as mud boats, along with other equipment and training.

'We believe all these capabilities are critical to helping Niger defeat Boko Haram and other terrorist organisations,' Whitaker said.

The US also operates an aerial drone base in Agadez that provides surveillance of Boko Haram units and others allied with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb that operate along borders with Libya, Mali and Nigeria.

Niamey has also given the US permission to base armed drones on its soil.

bidex111:
NAF INTENSIFIES BOMBARDMENT OF ARMED BANDITS’ HIDEOUTS, DESTROYS TRUCK, NEUTRALIZES SEVERAL BANDITS AT COMPOUND IN RUGU FOREST ZAMFARA STATE

The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation DIRAN MIKIYA has intensified the bombardment of armed bandits’ hideouts in Zamfara State and environs. The air strikes were preceded by days of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, initiated based on credible Human Intelligence reports, which led to the identification of several camps being used by the bandits to launch attacks against innocent civilians.

One of the air interdiction missions was conducted at dawn today, 7 February 2019, at a location in Rugu Forest South of Gurbin Baure, where some armed bandits were seen assembled by a logistics truck parked near their compound-hideout. The ATF dispatched a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) attack helicopter and an Alpha Jet to engage the bandits’ truck and compound. Overhead the target area, the bandits were seen dispersing in different directions with some attempting to make a getaway in the truck. The helicopter strafed the moving truck in successive passes immobilizing it and neutralizing its occupants. The Alpha Jet simultaneously attacked the compound and destroyed one of the huts harbouring the bandits, which was seen engulfed in flames. Credible Intelligence sources later revealed that several bandits were killed as a result of the attack.

The NAF, working in close coordination with surface forces and other security agencies, will sustain its reconnaissance and air interdiction missions to neutralize the armed bandits and deny them freedom of action in the area.


IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgRlUbE5M3g

bidex111:
NAF INTENSIFIES BOMBARDMENT OF ARMED BANDITS’ HIDEOUTS, DESTROYS TRUCK, NEUTRALIZES SEVERAL BANDITS AT COMPOUND IN RUGU FOREST ZAMFARA STATE

The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation DIRAN MIKIYA has intensified the bombardment of armed bandits’ hideouts in Zamfara State and environs. The air strikes were preceded by days of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, initiated based on credible Human Intelligence reports, which led to the identification of several camps being used by the bandits to launch attacks against innocent civilians.

One of the air interdiction missions was conducted at dawn today, 7 February 2019, at a location in Rugu Forest South of Gurbin Baure, where some armed bandits were seen assembled by a logistics truck parked near their compound-hideout. The ATF dispatched a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) attack helicopter and an Alpha Jet to engage the bandits’ truck and compound. Overhead the target area, the bandits were seen dispersing in different directions with some attempting to make a getaway in the truck. The helicopter strafed the moving truck in successive passes immobilizing it and neutralizing its occupants. The Alpha Jet simultaneously attacked the compound and destroyed one of the huts harbouring the bandits, which was seen engulfed in flames. Credible Intelligence sources later revealed that several bandits were killed as a result of the attack.

The NAF, working in close coordination with surface forces and other security agencies, will sustain its reconnaissance and air interdiction missions to neutralize the armed bandits and deny them freedom of action in the area.


IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgRlUbE5M3g

cutievik:
True....They barely hit their targets...

bidex111:
#NA SNIPER
#BOXOFFICE STUDIO'S

jakeporeshenko:
Ghanaian army bidexiii Odunayaw this is mechanized infant right or armor

jakeporeshenko:
Ghana

jakeporeshenko:
Ghanaian army spartan MRAPs on display

bidex111:
#NA SNIPER
#BOXOFFICE STUDIO'S

bidex111:



Yeah... why the Alpha jets where not Called in first, the helicopter made them to flee in defferent directions. A jet strike should be 1st or a precision weaponry from an helicopter, then heavy guns/rockets from an helicopter gunship can do the remaining mopping-up operation of fleeing bandits.
It's like the NAF does not want to waste it's munition on anti-banditry operations.
These are the helicopter platforms deployed to the North central/western states.

ugo4u:

But I wonder why they use Agusta for such missions maybe they consider it not to be a high risk operation, that chopper esp that variant is at best a transport helicopter, with no guided munition, infact that mounted gun is an addon by NAF technicians( no be follow come), what about the beast (Mi 35)? seems like NAF don't rate those bandits as to waste high caliber munitions on them.
May God help us..

Odunayaw:
LUH are splendid for this kind of duty if they work under good SOP.
Infact I would have preferred that Troops are ferried in to sweep the place while a LUH with a commander and door gunner does coordination and fire support. Classic Fireforce!

We need to do site exploitation to build a picture of who these bandits really are and their end game because right now we are into speculation

ugo4u:

The bird is quite agile and beautiful a classic Ajebo and Kpako example compared to the ugly beast,(Mi) I've flown in the LuH the gunner might be tempted to sleep off due to the comfort ( na joke o), the mere sight of the Mi is very intimidating to the enemy even without shooting a single shot, my fear for the LUHs is if those bandits hit it with a high calibre weapon, na where better problem dey.

ugo4u:

Helos are perfect for such missions, using alpha jets esp the F7s will not make much impact because of its speed and endurance in air(that piece of shit is a fuel guzzler) a helicopter can easily hover over the bandits from a safe altitude and rain hell on them. But I wonder why they use Agusta for such missions maybe they consider it not to be a high risk operation, that chopper esp that variant is at best a transport helicopter, with no guided munition, infact that mounted gun is an addon by NAF technicians( no be follow come), what about the beast (Mi 35)? seems like NAF don't rate those bandits as to waste high caliber munitions on them.
May God help us..