NAF deploys 9 new jets, as military reports victory over terrorism
By Kunle Sanni
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has strengthened its combat capability with the delivery of nine new fighter jets. An additional 49 aircraft are expected to arrive soon to support ongoing operations against terrorists, insurgents, and bandits nationwide.
According to The Nation, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, made the announcement Wednesday during a lecture at the Air Force War College in Makurdi, Benue State.
He revealed that since June 2023, the NAF has killed 3,496 terrorists in the Northeast, while over 121,000 insurgents and their families have surrendered.
Abubakar credited the Tinubu administration’s investment in air power for boosting the NAF’s capabilities, enabling more complex and sustained missions.
“Last year alone, the NAF flew over 4,500 hours across 2,304 sorties, including nearly 2,000 counterinsurgency missions,” he said. “We also carried out over 2,600 anti-banditry sorties and 366 missions against crude oil theft and illegal refining.”
He noted that both kinetic and non-kinetic air strategies have disrupted oil theft networks and protected critical infrastructure.
Meanwhile in Abuja, the Ministers of Defence and Information, Mohammed Badaru and Mohammed Idris, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fighting insecurity. At the seventh Ministerial Briefing, Badaru said over 124,408 insurgents had surrendered in the past two years, while 13,543 terrorists and bandits, including top commanders, were neutralized.
Eliminated militant leaders include Abu Bilal Minuki, Haruna Isiya Boderi, Kachallah Alhaji Dayi, Kachallah Idi, Kachallah Kabiru, Kachallah Azailaru, and Alhaji Baldu.
