As NAF constructs runway, deploys UCAVs to Zamfara…

For over two year now, Zamfara state in North West Nigeria has become the hotbed of banditry.  Day after day the outlaws had held the state by the jugular, killing and kidnapping tens of people, and rendered thousands homeless. Their activities overwhelmed the Police and other security agencies whose mandates were to maintain internal security.  

But in recent times Nigerian military has risen to the challenge and scored some quick wins to reverse the situation and restore normalcy to the state. Part of the military’s strategy was to boost the efficiency of air operations by obtaining and utilising required platforms to fight the adversary. Recently Nigeria acquired eight Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) to enhance the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and strike capabilities of its Air Force in counterinsurgency operations in the North East and banditry in the Northwest and North Central.

Few months ago, two of the UCAVs were deployed at the newly established 203 Combat Reconnaissance Group in Gombe, while two others at the Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE Headquarters in Maiduguri, where the war against Boko haram terrorists is being coordinated.

Last week, the Nigerian Air Force announced its plan to deploy four of the UCAVs in Zamfara state to check the activities of bandits in the state through sustained air surveillance of dark spots in order for the air force to deploy appropriate response against them. The plan, as announced by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, during an operational visit to Gusau, the state capital, also includes the construction of a runway and ancillary facilities for the UCAVs in Gusau. Giving slight details about the capabilities of the UCAVs, the Air Chief noted that a UCAV could remain airborne for up to 26 hours providing persistent presence over areas of interest. He said the runway was designed to serve as the air force UCAV Base for the North West, which was a strategic approach by the air force to stem the activities of bandits in the entire zone.

To improve the capability of its Air Force, Nigeria has acquired 22 brand new aircraft, in the last five years. It is also expecting 19 additional aircrafts by the end of the second quarter of 2021. These aircraft included 12 x A-29 Super Tucano attack aircraft, 3 x JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jets, an additional Mi-171E utility helicopter. The air force is also expecting 3 special missions aircraft to be handed over to it by NIMASA for maritime air operations.

According to the Air Chief, the Nigerian Air Force has also sent 195 of its personnel oversee to undergo various ground and aircrew training in nine different countries “to ensure that as soon as these additional aircraft arrive Nigeria they would be effectively and efficiently utilised to further enhance the security of Nigeria and Nigerians in the various theatres of operation.”

Since people’s support is significant in every military campaign, to get the buy-in  of the political leadership, on his arrival in Zamfara state, the Air Chief, accompanied by some senior officers, visited the state Governor, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, at the Government House. Air Marshall Abubakar told his host that he treasured the support and friendliness of the political leadership and the people of the state towards the air force 207 Quick Response Group and its personnel in in the state. He said he was in the state at the instance of the President who had authorised the construction of a runway and ancillary facilities in Gusau for the deployment of four newly acquired UCAVs to cover Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and Kaduna states. He said added that deployment of UCAVS signified the President’s commitment to restoring normalcy to the North West.  Air Marshall Abubakar appealed for more land from the state, as deployment of the new UCAVs and personnel will require building more infrastructures at the NAF Base.

He told his host that he was satisfied by the performance of air force personnel serving under Sector 1 of Operation HADARIN DAJI – a military operation against banditry in North West, as they, in synergy with other security agencies, were performing their assigned tasks professionally, He said he was equally happy that air force personnel has demonstrated a spirit of civil-military relations, ensured and sustained a cordial relationship with host communities.

Governor Matawalle said the people of the state would remain “eternally grateful” to President Muhammadu Buhari for being committed to their security and welfare. He commended the commitment of the Nigerian Air Force in dealing with the menace of banditry in the North West. He said security includes involvement of everybody, hence urged the people to provide useful information to security forces. He assured the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force of the continued support of the state government to stem the activities of bandits.

After the visit Air Marshall Abubakar together with Air Officer Commanding Special Operations Command, AVM Charles Ohwo and Chief of Logistics (NAF), AVM Mohammed Yakubu, were conducted by Governor Matawalle on a tour of the land allocated by the state government for the runway project.

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