Nigerian Air Force steps up operations against insurgents in north-east

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

The Nigerian Air Force says it is intensifying air operations in the north-east as part of efforts to support ground troops fighting insurgents and maintain security in the region.

In a statement signed by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information at the Nigerian Air Force headquarters, the service said the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, had reaffirmed the force’s commitment to sustaining decisive air power in support of Operation Hadin Kai.

The statement said the Chief of Operations at Air Force headquarters, Air Vice Marshal P.N. Amadi, began an operational visit to the NAF Base in Maiduguri on 11 March on behalf of the air chief to assess the operational environment and review the base’s readiness for ongoing joint military
operations.

During the visit, the Air Force said commanders presented operational and base defence briefings highlighting the base’s preparedness to support missions in the theatre. The statement added that recent precision air strikes in the Sambisa area destroyed four suspected insurgent gun trucks and logistics assets after intelligence-led surveillance operations.