₦airaland Forum

PRESS RELEASE

NIGERIAN ARMY VOWS TO APPREHEND AND SANCTION ANY PERSONNEL INVOLVE IN UNPROFESSIONAL/ EXTRA JUDICIAL ACTIONS

The attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to a video reportedly showing some NA personnel engaged in unprofessional torture and above all extra judicial killing of a suspected Boko Haram terrorist likely in the North East Theatre of Operation.

The NA wishes to clearly and strongly condemn the action of those involved (whoever they may be) in the misconduct, and that the dastardly act is completely unacceptable, unethical and is against the cherished core values of the NA especially that of respect for others and their fundamental rights.

NA training, Rules of Engagement and Standing Operating Procedures guiding the conduct of all her operations are unambiguous about human rights abuses and extra judicial actions including the rights of the arrested/captured terrorists/combatants.

Troops in the various theaters of operations in Nigeria, have been consistently warned to desist from rights infractions of any form no matter the amount of desperation, anger or provocation. NA does not license, encourage or condone indiscipline, unprofessional conduct especially extra judicial execution of suspects or combatants. Where ever, such is noticed or reported, once it is comfirmed, appropriate decisive sanction or punishment is usually immediately meted out to the perpetrators and this case would never be an exception.

Accordingly, on seeing the gory video, NA has commenced thorough investigation to apprehend the culprits with the aim to deal with them in accordance with the extant military justice system. Members of the public will surely be informed of the results of the actions taken so far.

The NA, as a responsible and law abiding organization, will remain professional in the discharge of its constitutional roles and will continue to operate within the ambit of the law in line with the local and international best practices.

SAGIR MUSA
Colonel
Acting Director Army Public Relations
4 November 2019

PRESS RELEASE

NIGERIAN ARMY PROMOTES SENIOR OFFICERS

The Nigerian Army Council on Saturday the 9th of November 2019 has approved the promotion of senior officers to the next ranks of Major General and Brigadier General respectively.

Among those lucky to be promoted to Major General are Brigadier General S Idris, Defence Headquarters Abuja, Brigadier General DC Onyemulu, Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre Oshodi Lagos, Brigadier General BO Sawyer Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans, Brigadier General GS Abdullahi Defence Headquarters Abuja, Brigadier General IM Obot Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, Brigadier General AL Lawal, Nigerian High Commission, Cairo Egypt, Brigadier General LA Adegboye, Headquarters 82 Division Enugu, Brigadier General AB Ibrahim Army Headquarters Training and Operations, Brigadier General PB Fakroga Headquarters Nigerian Army Women Corps, Brigadier General CK Nwosu Nigerian Army Special Forces School, Buni Yadi, and Brigadier General HI Bature, Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command, Minna.

The others are Brigadier Generals AL Dusu, Defence Headquarters, Abuja, MA Masanawa, Ammunition Central Depot Agunu, Kachia, JA Ataguba, Land Forces Simulation Centre, Abuja, AE Attu, National Defence College, Abuja, BA Isandu, Nigerian Army Intelligence School, Lagos, SS Araoye, Command Engineering Depot Kaduna, MS Ahmed, SI List Nigerian Embasy Riyad, GAT Ochigbano, Army Headquarters Department of Military Secretary, TA Lagbaja, Headquarters 2 Brigade Abak Uyo, LA Fejokwu, Army Headquarters Department of Administration 'Army', PE Eromosele, National Defence College, Abuja, AM Alabi, Headquarters Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE Maiduguri, GO Adesina, Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans, MM Bunza, Nigerian Military School Zaria, AA Adesope, Directorate of Audit and Financial Management Office of the Chief of Army Staff, KI Muktar, Army Headquarters Department of Administration 'Army', OO Olatunde, Headquarters 35 Brigade, - (posthumously promoted), EA Ndagi, Office of the National Security Adviser, KO Aligbe Defence Headquarters, UA Yusuf, African Standby Force ECOWAS Headquarters, Abuja, OC Ajunwa, Nigerian Embassy Brasilia, FO Omoigui Army Headquarters Department of Training and Operations, OA Akinyemi Administrative Staff College of Nigeria, Badagry, Lagos among others.

Those promoted to Brigadier Generals are BYD Sakaba, Defence Headquarters Abuja, AY Bwala 302 Artillery Regiment Onitsha, AA Adekoya, Defence Intelligence Agency, NJ Edet Headquarters 81 Division, Lagos, EC Obi-Osang, Headquarters Nigerian Army Special Forces Command, Buni Yadi, AO Arogbofa, Headquarters 102 Division Equipment Support, S Nicodemus, Headquarters 6 Division Portharcourt, WB Idris, 17 Brigade, Katsina, IO Olatunji, Headquarters 8 Division, Sokoto, ST Audu, Headquarters 21 Brigade, Yola, UT Opuene, Headquarters Infantry Corps Centre, Jaji, MD Abumawashi, Headquarters Op LAFIA DOLE, Maiduguri, LG Lepdung, Headquarters Infantry Corps, Jaji, Kaduna, AOD Okoro, Department Administration 'Army', ASM Wase, Department of Training and Operations 'Army', AL Okpodu, Nigerian Army Aviation, S Nuhu, Army Headquarters Department of Training and Operations, EO OJO, Special Task Force, Operation SAFE HAVEN, JR Lar, 31 Artillery Brigade Garrison, Minna, SJA Ilori, Department of Army Transformation and Innovation.

Also elavated to Brigadier Generals are NB Ebulue Defence Intelligence Agency, KO Ukandu Army Headquarters Department of Administration, AG Laka Army War College, Abuja, EI Etuk, Multinational Joint Task Force N'Djamena, ME Onoja, 1 Military Intelligence Brigade, Kaduna, EI Okoro, Nigerian Army War College, MB Wabili, Nigerian Army Super Camp Benisheik, KE Chigbu Army Headquarters Department of Training and Operations, SO Nwafor 303 Artillery Regiment General Support and I Otu Headquarters 7 Division Maiduguri.

Others are SO Adejimi, Headquarters 6 Division Supply and Transport, SD Makolo Headquarters Department of Transformation and Innovation, VD Beryo Headquarters Ordnance Corps, MO Erebulu 2 Provost Group, Ibadan, A Idris, Directorate of Army Reserve Recruitment and Resettlement Rear, CA Ataki Department of Policy and Plans 'Army', FO Omata, Special Task Force Operation SAFE HAVEN, CC Ogbu, Institute of Army Education, AE Owiriwa 82 Division Ordnance Services, ROO Cole, Nigerian Army Ordnance Tailoring Factory Yaba, Lagos, TI Gusau, Nigerian Army Resource Centre Abuja, GC Nkenke, 8 Division Supply and Transport and M Galadima, Headquarters Nigerian Army Finance Corps Apapa, Lagos, M Auta, Nigerian Army University Biu, O Nwachukwu Defence Headquarters Defence Information, I Ahmed Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna, S Nuhu Army Headquarters Department of Administration and AAW Hassan Armed Forces Command and Staff College among others.

The Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen TY Buratai congratulates the beneficiaries and charged them to redouble their efforts in the discharge of their responsibilities.

SAGIR MUSA
Colonel
Acting Director Army Public Relations
10 November 2019

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Congratulations to sarkin yakin sambisa congrats for the well deserve promotion sir.

Masha Allah, Dodon boko haram.

Al-Amin Daggash

Al-amin Musa Daggash is a retired Nigerian Air Force General who served as the 7th Chief of the Nigerian Defence Staff from 1998-1999 under the General Abdulsalami Abubakar regime. He was the first non-army officer to hold that position in Nigeria's history, before him this position was exclusively occupied only by Army officers. He was also the first and till date the only non-army officer to be the commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna. During the Abdulsalami Abubakar administration, Daggash was third in command and for that he was awarded the distinctive national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), which was unjustly rescinded by the Obasanjo administration. He was later awarded the national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) in 2005.

Background:

Air Marshal Al-amin Daggash was born in 1942 in Kirenowa, Marte local government of Borno State. He is of the Shuwa Arab ethnic stock and one of the eldest children of super permanent secretary Musa Daggash. Because his father was a forestry officer who worked in many parts of the country, Daggash had his primary education in several schools in the north and south of Nigeria and ended up having his secondary education at the Abeokuta Grammar School in Ogun State.

In august 1963, he was enlisted into the Nigerian Air Force as an officer cadet. He was part of the first batch of Nigerian Air Force officer cadets and received his basic military training in Kaduna. He completed his military training in Fassberg Air Base, Germany where he obtained a diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering.

Military Career:

Daggash was commissioned as second lieutenant in the Nigerian Air Force on the 27th of September 1967. Over the course of his long and illustrious career he attended several engineering and aircraft maintenance courses, such as;

Basic/Advance Aircraft Maintenance Courses at Fassberg Air Base, Germany 1964-1965.
Basic Technical Course at Aircraft Factory, Helwan, Egypt 1967-1968.
Aircraft Maintenance Course at the Chanute Air Base Illinois, USA 1971-1972.
Engineer/Airframe and Engine courses on the L-29 and L-39 aircraft 1975-1977.
Alpha Jet Aircraft Final Course in engineering and logistics with Dornier, West Germany 1979.
He also attended several military and strategic studies courses like;

Junior Command and Leadership course at Royal Air Force Ternhill, United Kingdom 1973.
Senior Division Staff course at Command and Staff College, Jaji 1978.
From 1985 to 1986 at the rank of Group Captain, Daggash attended the US Air War College in Montgomery, Alabama where he gained a diploma in Educational Development from the International Officers School. He went on to receive a second diploma in Defence and Strategic Studies From the Air War College, Air University, Alabama.

Daggash commanded various Air force formations during his career, such as;

Commander, Flying Training Group, Kano.

Director of Works, HQ NAF.

Director of Engineering, HQ NAF.
Director of Supply, HQ NAF.

Air Officer Commanding, Training Command

Air Officer Logistics, HQ NAF.

Commandant Nigerian Defence Academy

Chief of the Nigerian Defence Staff
Daggash was promoted to the rank of Air Commodore in December 1986. He was appointed Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Training Command of the Nigerian Air Force in 1990 and Chief of Air Force Logistics and Communications branch at the service HQ between 1992 and 1994. He was promoted to the rank of Air Vice Marshal in December 1991. Daggash was appointed as the deputy commandant and subsequently commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy between 1994 and 1998. He was then appointment as Chief of Defence Staff by General Abdulsalami Abubakar. He was promoted to the rank of Air Marshal on the 10th of June 1998. Daggash is considered to be one of the few thoroughbred officers who rose through the ranks without ever holding a political appointment even though the military were in government for 28 of the 36 years he served. He retired from service on the 29th of May in 1999. In recognition of his achievements Daggash was inducted into the international Honor Roll, Air University presented at the Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama on the 1st of June 2004.

Post retirement:

Daggash has been active in the Borno Elders Forum as well as the Northern Elders Forum. The both Elders Forums mounted severe pressure on the Goodluck Jonathan administration over its careless handling of the Boko Haram crisis especially between 2013 and 2015.

On October 03, 2019, Daggash received an honorary doctorate degree in military science from the Nigerian Defence Academy.

Awards :

Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria(CFR)

Defence Service Medal Defence

Service Medal (Nigeria 1967-1970)

Distinguished Service Medal

Forces Service Star Forces Service Star (Nigeria)

General Service Medal General Service Medal (Nigeria)

Meritorious Service Star

Pass Staff College Medal

IL-76MF

EAF ka52

Egyptian AF ka-52 pilot

ANNOUNCEMENT ON COUNTER-TERRORISM SIMULATION EXERCISE ALONG MINNA -ZUNGERU ROAD

This is to inform the general public, especially residents of Pandogari, Zungeru and Minna areas of Niger State, that the Nigerian Air Force will conduct a simulation exercise on counter-terrorism nicknamed EXERCISE BABBAN NAUSHI along Minna-Zungeru Road on Friday, 8 November 2019. Accordingly, there will be movement of military aircraft, vehicles, equipment, personnel as well as firing of live ammunition during the period of the routine military exercise. Additionally, there will be restriction of vehicular movement during the period of the Exercise along aforementioned road. Members of the public are advised not to panic but go about their normal businesses as the Nigerian Air Force will endeavour to minimize disruptions to normal activities.

​​​​​​​​​Announcer
Air Commodore IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
​​​​​Director of Public Relations & Information
for the Chief of the Air Staff
Nigerian Air Force

OPERATION SAFE CORRIDOR HANDS OVER 86 BOKO HARAM CHILD FIGHTERS TO BORNO STATE REHABILITATION CENTRE

In an effort to ensure that minors and other repentant Boko Haram fighters in the North East are given the necessary support and opportunity to embrace peace through the auspices of Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC), the outfit has handed over 86 Boko Haram child fighters who voluntarily surrendered to troops of Operation Lafiya Dole to the Borno State Rehabilitation Centre in Bulumkutu.

Following the handover, the repentant child fighters would undergo comprehensive Child Care Programme sponsored and organized by United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in conjunction with Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

The child fighters who are between ages 10 19 are part of over 1,370 Boko Haram fighters who have so far surrendered to troops of Operation Lafiya Dole. After a thorough profiling and screening, the minors were considered suitable for the 6 months De-radicalization, Rehabilitation and Re-integration (DRR) programme.

Arrangement is also ongoing to transfer another set of 500 repentant insurgents to Operation Safe Corridor for DRR Programme.

The handover ceremony was witnessed by the Borno State Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo and UNICEF Official, Mr Clement Adams. The duo congratulated the surrenderers for laying down their arms and urged them to take advantage of the DRR programme to turn a new leaf and abandon the senseless struggle.

Operation Safe Corridor is a Defence Headquarters led non-kinetic multi-national and multi-agency humanitarian operation conducted in tandem with extant international humanitarian laws to encourage willing and repentant Boko Haram terrorists in the North East to shun violent extremism. The operation is designed to also de-radicalize, rehabilitate and re-integrate repentant Boko Haram combatants who willingly surrender to troops. The scheme is a global model that enjoys collaboration and support from local and international Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) as well as Multi-national Organisations, such as, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), International Organization for Migration (IOM), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Department for International Development (DFID), Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and North East Regional Initiative (NERI).

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) wishes to use this medium to call on willing Boko Haram fighters to abandon the futile struggle and surrender to troops of Operation Lafiya Dole. Those who voluntarily surrender to troops are guaranteed of safety and will benefit from the Operation Safe Corridor de-radicalization, rehabilitation and re-integration programme. The AFN is further committed to its strict adherence to the rules of engagement and other extant laws especially as it relates to minors in conflict situations.

ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Colonel
Acting Director Defence Information

NAF MI-35 PILOT

NATO Code Name “FELON”: Russian Su-57 Gets Its Reporting Name, And It Couldn’t Be Better Story

BabaOwen:
To think about how many Africans suffer in oblivion, it makes me sad a lot.

You can channel your effort into better way by creating a thread where such issues are discussed and people report or drop there own experience on the thread.
You will will be touching a lot of lives if you have a calling in such area
And please stop derailing the thread with issues unrelated to the thread.

BabaOwen:
I want justice for this lady. This is what almost every Nigerians are facing in the hands of our useless security personnel who are only gallant against unarmed civilians.

Dude why not create a thread for such issues where injustice against civilians by military/security personnels will be treated, we will be glad to join.
Please stop posting such matters here henceforth.

Live in Sambisa

slimthugchimee2:
Nice

Toju200 come and see

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NAF RECORDS ANOTHER R&D BREAKTHROUGH, PRODUCES HYDRAULIC DIAPHRAGM FOR L-39ZA AIRCRAFT

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has recorded another laudable Research and Development (R&D) breakthrough with the successful local design and fabrication of the hydraulic accumulator diaphragm of the L-39ZA aircraft. With this feat, the NAF will no longer need to source for the diaphragm from overseas, thereby saving much needed foreign exchange while also reducing maintenance downtime occasioned by the erstwhile need to order the item from abroad. The achievement was made known by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, yesterday, 31 October 2019, during the formal demonstration of the locally fabricated diaphragm in the hydraulic system of an L-39ZA aircraft at the 403 Flying Training School (403 FTS) Kano.

The CAS, while expressing extreme delight at the development as well as the successful demonstration of the diaphragm, stated that it was gratifying that the NAF had, for the first time, begun the local production of some spares of the L-39ZA, after 32 years of the aircraft being in its inventory. He noted that, while the NAF was grateful to its foreign partners for their support and cooperation over the years, there was no substitute to building indigenous capacity and partnerships for R&D to ensure self-reliance. In this regard, the CAS expressed special appreciation to Ayeolad Nigeria Ltd, Eniflex Industries Ltd and TAT Engineering Ltd for their contributions in making the L-39ZA hydraulic diaphragm production a reality. He noted that such collaborations would encourage other industries to look inwards to work with the NAF and other security agencies with a view to evolving innovative solutions to Nigeria’s problems, not just in the security sector but also in other areas of interest.

Air Marshal Abubakar remembered, with nostalgia, how, as Commander in Port Harcourt, he had initiated the R&D effort that led to the development of the hydraulic diaphragm for the Mi-35 Helicopter. He observed that the diaphragm was so well produced that it was better in quality and versatility than the ones made by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). He commended the Chief of Standards and Evaluation (COSE) as well as the Director R&D Headquarters NAF (HQ NAF) and the leader of the R&D Team for the project, Air Commodore Austine Imafidor, for the breakthrough and many others achieved by the NAF. For instance, he noted that the Bell 412 could now fire SNEB Rockets, which were designed for use on the Alpha Jet and other such aircraft, because of the locally adapted rocket tubes. He urged the Team to strive to further improve the quality of the diaphragm while also looking into other areas of need. The CAS stated that the NAF would continue to strengthen its partnership with Nigerian tertiary institutions and local companies with a view to not only solving identified problems but also expanding on solutions so derived to generate employment opportunities for youths as well as other socio-economic benefits.

Earlier in his welcome address, the COSE HQ NAF, Air Vice Marshal Regimius Ekeh, traced the history of the development of the hydraulic diaphragm for the Mi-35P, which had also been led by Air Commodore Imafidon, under the direction of the CAS. He highlighted how this had facilitated the development of the one for the L-39ZA. He noted that since a successful prototype had been developed, the next steps would be to enhance its quality and versatility whilst seeking for ways to achieve mass production of the item. He expressed his profound appreciation to the CAS for his unflinching support and strategic guidance that had resulted in the remarkable achievement.

Highlights of the event included the successful demonstration of the diaphragm's functionality as well as display of items utilised during the development process. This was preceded by a brief on the project by Air Commodore Imafidor. It may be recalled that the NAF, in 2016, received patent right certificate from the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) for the local production of hydraulic diaphragms for the Mi-35 helicopter.

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

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

Nigerian Airforce Female Fighter pilot.

National Air Force of Angola(Força Aérea Nacional de Angola) female helicopter pilot

bidexiii:
In case you missed it, here is a video clip showing highlights of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Counter Terrorism Exercise, “EXERCISE NA ZO”, which took place in Kaduna yesterday, 28 October 2019. Thank you for continued interest and support.




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMyv6U6DI_s

Nice video

In case you missed it, here is a video clip showing highlights of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Counter Terrorism Exercise, “EXERCISE NA ZO”, which took place in Kaduna yesterday, 28 October 2019. Thank you for continued interest and support.




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMyv6U6DI_s

#NPF
#BEAUTIFUL OFFICERS

#NAF

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NIGERIAN ARMY SCHOOL OF INFANTRY GRADUATES THIRD QUARTER COURSES 2019

The Nigerian Army School of Infantry (NASI) has recently graduated her Third Quarter Courses at the Platoon Weapons Wing and the Jaji Drop Zone.

Courses graduated were Advance Range Management Course 36, Skill At Arms Instructors Course 81, Advance Airborne Course 22 and the Basic Rigger Course 32 of 2019.

The Commandant of the School, Maj Gen DH Ali- Keffi in his graduation address, expressed his pleasure for the occasion and described it as an honour for him to organize the graduation.
He reiterated that a good soldier has the ability to judge the sound and distance of a weapon being fired at him.

For the Skill At Arms and Advance Range Management graduates, he urged them not to keep the knowledge imparted in them to themselves but should train others. "Return to the field and train good firers and marksmen. The people you train may be the saving grace of the unit."

To the graduates of Advance Airborne and Basic Rigger Course, the Commandant emphasized that NASI and especially the Airborne wing under the current Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, has witnessed a lot of transformation, that it was the hope of the COAS to have a highly professional Army that would meet the Constitutional requirements. He added that a lot has been invested in them and a lot is expected from them.

He expressed his delight over the report received from the Chief Instructor of Airborne wing, Col NI Ashinze who disclosed that since the inception of the jump school in Jaji, NA Airborne has no major casualty and that was as a result of their safety standard. He therefore, charged the Jump Masters to ensure that nothing is left to chance, admonishing them to continue in ensuring safety first.

A total number of twelve out of twenty nine students assembled successfully graduated in Advance Airborne Course while all twenty three students of Basic Rigger Course assembled graduated successfully and eighteen students that assembled for Skill At Arms and fifty nine that assembled for Advance Range Management Course also successfully graduated.

The occasion was witnessed by invited guests, Staff Officers of NASI, soldiers and members of the public

Concl

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ENHANCING INTERNAL SECURITY: NAF CONDUCTS COUNTER TERRORISM EXERCISE ALONG KADUNA-BIRNIN GWARI ROAD

As part of its continued efforts geared towards developing the capacity of its personnel to combat terrorism and secure lives and properties of Nigerians, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) today, 28 October 2019, conducted a Counter Terrorism (CT) Simulation Exercise along Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road. The Exercise, code named “EXERCISE NA ZO”, was aimed at testing NAF operational doctrine and tactics for effective CT operations as well as evaluating the synergy between air and surface forces in a complex air-ground operational environment. The CT Exercise (CTEX) involved NAF Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms as well as attack aircraft along with NAF Special Forces (SF) and Canine (K-9) Teams, who were practiced on their individual and group skills in the planning, coordination and execution of CT operations.

Speaking during the Exercise, the Special Guest of Honour (SGOH), Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Abayomi Olonisakin, highlighted the critical importance of training and exercises to a fighting force, like the NAF, towards ensuring greater success in combat operations. According to him, the NAF had blazed the trail by ensuring that its personnel are engaged in exercises that evolve lessons, tactics and doctrine in the conduct of CT operations. Gen Olonisakin stated that, as a Service vested with the enviable role of protecting the territorial integrity of Nigeria by air, the timing of the Exercise was apt, affording the NAF the opportunity to assess the physical alertness and combat readiness of its personnel with a view to making necessary adjustments and changes. “Even more important is the fact that an event of this nature is being organized at a time the NAF and its sister Services are engaged in counterinsurgency (COIN) operations in the Northeastern part of Nigeria as well as Anti-banditry in the North West and North Central”, he said.

The CDS seized the opportunity to express his profound appreciation to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (C-in-C), President Muhammadu Buhari, for his continued support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) in general and the NAF in particular. He noted that Nigerians were undoubtedly appreciative of the C-in-C’s commitment to ensuring a secured Nigeria as well as the efforts of the AFN in the fight against terrorism and other societal ills. While congratulating the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, and his team for the well-conceived and timely exercise, the CDS expressed optimism that the underlying lessons of the event would go a long way in resolving the current security challenges in the Country.

In his remarks, the CAS expressed his delight to have the CDS physically present to witness the first ever CTEX conducted by the NAF. He noted that the Exercise was deliberately conceptualized to practice NAF air and ground elements in order to engender a better understanding of the nuances of air-ground integration as well as other critical elements of CT operations. He disclosed that the Service would conduct a number of such exercises between October 2019 and January 2020 with a view to identifying and tackling problems associated with air-ground integration as well as highlighting the crucial role of joint planning and coordination to the success of operations. Furthermore, he said the planned simulation exercises would also enable the Service to appraise the effectiveness of its Force Protection in Complex Air-Ground Environment (FPCAGE) measures in securing its bases and air assets for efficient, unhindered conduct of air operations. Air Marshal Abubakar noted that, similar to EXERCISE NA ZO, the forthcoming exercises would practice NAF Flying Units; Regiment and Special Forces Teams; Air Provost and K-9 Units as well as Intelligence and other elements, such as Medical, to enhance coordination and improve decision-making of commanders in order to ensure mission accomplishment in virtually every encounter. He added that the conduct of such training had become even more crucial given the increasing involvement of NAF Regiment and SF personnel in Internal Security (IS) operations across the Country.

In his welcome address, the Air Officer Commanding Special Operations Command (AOC SOC), Air Vice Marshal James Gwani, said the CTEX was in consonance with the CAS’ Vision to “reposition the NAF into a highly professional and disciplined force through capacity building initiatives for effective, efficient and timely employment of air power in response to Nigeria’s national security imperatives”. The timing for the event, he said, could not have been more apt as the NAF is currently engaged in COIN, anti-banditry and other IS operations in various operational theatres within the country. He believed that the Exercise would go a long way in further developing personnel’s capacity, professionalism and combat readiness as the NAF continues to battle forces of insecurity in the Nation.

Highlights of the occasion included the operational briefing and giving of orders by the Commander 271 NAF Detachment Birnin Gwari, Group Captain Idorenyin Bassey, along with his sub-unit and component commanders, which was held behind closed doors. This was followed by the seamless execution of the operational plan, which featured live firing of rockets from NAF fixed and rotary wing attack aircraft; insertion, by rappelling, of NAF SF and K-9 elements and movement of teams into the objective area as well as subsequent rescue of hostages, arrest of the suspected armed bandits, extraction of the assault team by road and evacuation of casualties by air, while being provided with close air support by an attack helicopter overhead the objective.

IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE BURATAI FAMILY.

Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, his father, and his son are all men of the military, with distinction.

FATHER: In 1942 Alhaji Yusuf Buratai (Senior) the father of COAS joined the West African Army at the tender age of 18. He fought in World War II in 1945, especially the war in Burma.

The Burma Campaign in the South-East Asian theatre of World War II was fought primarily between the forces of the British Empire and China, with support from the United States, against the forces of the Empire of Japan, Thailand, and the Indian National Army.

British Empire forces peaked at around 1,000,000 land, naval and air forces, and were drawn primarily from British India, with British Army forces (equivalent to 8 regular infantry divisions and 6 tank regiments), 100,000 East and West African colonial troops, and smaller numbers of land and air forces from several other Dominions and Colonies.

The Burmese Independence Army was trained by the Japanese and spearheaded the initial attacks against British Empire forces.
Buratai Senior later joined the services of escorting ships from Lagos to Cotonou and Cape Town in South Africa.

- SON (COAS): Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai is the current and 26th Chief of Army Staff of Nigeria, appointed to the position by President Muhammadu Buhari on July 13, 2015.

He was commissioned in 1983 and has had multiple command, administrative, and instructional appointments.
General Buratai had his primary education at Buratai town and thereafter gained admission to Government Teachers College Potiskum, Yobe State, where he graduated with distinction.

In January 1981, Buratai attended the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna as a member of the 29 Regular Combatant Course (29 RC). On successful completion of his Officer Cadet training, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 17th December 1983 into the Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army.

Buratai has a degree in History from University of Maiduguri and a degree in Philosophy from Bangladesh University of Professionals, Dhaka.
He served in 26 Amphibious Battalion Elele, Port Harcourt, Military Observer at the United Nations Verification Mission II in Angola; later 26 Guards Battalion, Lagos; Lagos Garrison Command Camp. Lt Gen Buratai also served as administrative officer at the State House, Abuja; 82 Motorized Battalion; 81 Battalion, Bakassi Peninsular; Army Headquarters Garrison, Abuja before he became a Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, earning the prestigious “Pass Staff College Dagger” (psc(+)) appellation.
Subsequently, he served at AHQ Dept of Army Policy and Plans, Abuja; Assistant Chief of Staff Administrative Matters, HQ Infantry Centre Jaji.

Additionally, he was again at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College as Director Dept of Land Warfare from where he was appointed Commander 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt, doubling as Commander, Sector 2 JTF Operation PULO SHIELD.

Upon promotion to the rank of Major General, he was appointed Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji; thereafter he was appointed Director of Procurement DHQ before being appointed Force Commander of the newly reconstituted Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTNF) under the auspices of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and Benin Republic, an appointment he held till he became Chief of Army Staff.

His operational deployments include Military Observer at the United Nations Verification Mission II in Angola, Op HARMONY IV in the Bakassi Peninsular, OP MESA, Op PULO SHIELD, Op SAFE CONDUCT, MNJTF, Op ZAMAN LAFIYA and Op LAFIYA DOLE. He was appointed Chief of Army Staff on July 13, 2015.

Lt Gen Buratai’s honours and awards include;
1. Forces Service Star (FSS)
2. Meritorious Service Star (MSS)
3. Distinguished Service Star (DSS)
4. Grand Service Star (GSS).
5. Pass Staff Course Dagger (psc(+))
6. Field Command Medal
7. Training Support Medal
8. United Nations Medal for Angolan Verification Medal II.

GRANDSON: Yusuf Tukur Buratai is the second eldest son to COAS Lt. general Tukur Yusuf Buratai. He is currently a serving flying officer with the Nigerian Airforce.

Photo: Credit to Abdul Shuaibu.
Notes on COAS culled from Wikipedia.

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