Air Force Deploys More Fighter Aircraft, Gunships To Combat Militants

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said, yesterday, it has deployed additional aircraft to the Niger Delta in support of the military operations code named “OPERATION PULO SHIELD” against militancy,
economic sabotage and all forms of criminalities in the South-South. The deployment was necessitated by the spate of attacks on the nation’s oil and gas installations by the  militant group, Niger Delta Avengers (NDA). 

A statement by Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, Director of Airforce Public Relations, said “The additional platforms, comprising fighter aircraft, helicopter gunship and surveillance aircraft, are intended to enhance the capability of NAF to undertake offensive air operations and intelligence gathering in support of the surfaces forces. “Since the recent deployment the NAF has increased air operations around critical infrastructure in Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States. 

“These include but not limited to Escravos, Forcados in Delta State; Bonga oil field, Agbami offshore and Brass in Bayelsa; Bony in Rivers; Qua Iboe Terminal in Akwa Ibom State, and Opuekeba in Ondo State. “Meanwhile, NAF urges members of the public not to panic at the sight of low level flying aircraft but to go about their legitimate businesses. 

“The NAF also enjoins any member of the public to avail it or other security agencies with useful information about the whereabouts or activities of the militant group”.