The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it is deploying Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs), otherwise known as drone, aircrafts to Zamfara to enhance its air operations in the state.
The Chief of Air Staff , Air Marshal Saddique Abubakar, disclosed this when he visited Gusau on Thursday on an operational visit.
In a statement by NAF Director of Public Relations and Information,Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola he said the effort was to further boost the effectiveness and efficiency of air operations in the fight against armed Banditry in the North West.
Daramola said CAS’s visit was to inspect the site for the construction of a runway and Ancillary facilities for the UCAVs in Gusau.
Speaking while on a courtesy call to the Governor,CAS expressed satisfaction with reports that NAF personnel operating under Sector 1 of Operation HADARIN DAJI
He said deployment of 4 newly acquired UCAVs will cover Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi and Katsina States as well as parts of Kaduna State.
While highlighting the capabilities of the UCAVs, the CAS noted that the unmanned aircraft could remain airborne for up to 26 hours providing persistent presence over areas of interest.
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He revealed that the four UCAVs were part of the 8 UAVs recently acquired by the Federal Government to enhance the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) as well as strike capabilities of the NAF not only in the fight against armed banditry in the Northwest and North Central but also in counterinsurgency operations in the North East.
He revealed that 2 UCAVs were to be deployed at the newly established 203 Combat Reconnaissance Group in Gombe and the 2 others at the Air Task Force, Operation LAFIYA DOLE Headquarters in Maiduguri.
He added that these were in addition to the 22 brand new aircraft already acquired by the Federal Government for the NAF in the last 5 years, along with the 19 additional aircraft being expected before the end of the second quarter of 2021.
The CAS noted that these additional aircraft included 12 x A-29 Super Tucano attack aircraft, 3 x JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jets, an additional Mi-171E utility helicopter as well as 3 special missions aircraft that are expected to be handed over to the NAF from NIMASA for maritime air operations.
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Speaking further, Air Marshal Abubakar revealed that about 195 NAF personnel were undergoing various ground and aircrew training in 9 different countries across the world to ensure that as soon as these additional aircraft arrive Nigeria they would be effectively and efficiently utilized to further enhance the security of Nigeria and Nigerians in the various theatres of operation.
He further disclosed that, while the main purpose of the new runway facility being constructed was to service the UCAVs, other aircraft could equally use the airfield once completed.
He however noted that the deployment of the new UCAVs as well as the personnel to man them would require the emplacement of additional infrastructure at the NAF Base, which would undoubtedly require additional land. He therefore appealed to the Governor to provide the additional land for the NAF.
He however called on the Royal Fathers and Spiritual Leaders to support the NAF and other security agencies by providing intelligence which, he said, was critical to the effective conduct of operations in sub-conventional warfare scenarios like armed banditry.
He noted that such information would always be treated with utmost confidentiality and further cross-checked for accuracy before use.
In his response, Governor Matawalle appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for swiftly responding to the cries of the people of Zamfara and acceding to their request for additional facilities that would enhance the security of the State.
The Governor emphasized that security was not the exclusive responsibility of security agencies but required the involvement of every member of the society, urged the people of the State to heed the CAS’ call by providing useful intelligence to security forces.
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Speaking further, Dr Matawalle said the Zamafara State Government, while continuing to apply both kinetic and non-kinetic means in dealing with security challenges in the State, would continue to exhibit zero tolerance for any subversive elements who provide information or safe havens to bandits or support their operations in any way.
While assuring the CAS of the State Government’s continued support, the Governor gave immediate directives for the provision of additional land to the NAF.
The CAS, who was accompanied on the visit by the Air Officer Commanding Special Operations Command, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Charles Ohwo as well as the NAF Chief of Logistics, AVM Mohammed Yakubu, and other senior NAF officers, was thereafter conducted by Governor Matawalle on a tour of the land allocated by the Zamfara State Government for the runway project.
