The Federal Government has announced plans to bolster its anti-banditry operations with the acquisition of 50 new aircraft scheduled to arrive between now and next year.
The initiative aims to strengthen security efforts in the North-West region and across Nigeria as terrorists occupied the Kainji National Park in Niger State.
The Chief of Air Staff, Marshal Bala Abubakar, disclosed on Wednesday that the air fleet would include 12 AH-1 attack helicopters, 24 M-346 attack aircraft, 12 Augusta Westland 109 helicopters and two Casa 295 medium airlift aircraft.
Abubakar stated this during the inauguration of new facilities at the 213 Forward Operational Base in Katsina State.
The facilities include a taxiway link, two aircraft hangars, operation and engineering buildings, a perimeter fence and a football pitch.
Expressing gratitude to the federal and state governments for their support in combating banditry, the air chief praised NAF personnel for their dedication to maintaining peace and security in the region.
He said, “We are also mindful that the remnants of insurgents from Borno and Yobe states would be considering the option of moving back to Adamawa through the border towns in this regard, the Nigerian Air Force is intensifying its inner surveillance with a view to taking a decisive military action when required to prevent the re-emergence of insurgents activities in the state.
“Let me use this opportunity to inform your excellency that the Nigerian Air Force is expecting 50 brand new aircraft in its inventory in the next one and a half to two years. And I intend to station some of them right here in Yola.”
