Nigerian Air Force Acquires More Combat Helicopters
Chief of the Air Staff, Air
Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, says the Nigerian Air Force
has acquired two more Mi-35M combat helicopters from Russia
Federation to enhance its capability in ongoing internal security efforts.
He has also given the
assurance that the Nigerian Air Force remains committed to ensuring that the current gains in the
war against Boko Haram terrorists in North East Nigeria is sustained.
Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, who was speaking at a media briefing in Maiduguri to acquaint the press with
the activities of the Air Force in 2016 said air patrol and intelligence gathering is still in
progress.
He said the air bombardment
of the camp zero and general area of the Sambisa
forest by the air component of the Operation Lafia Dole paved way for
the ground forces to advance and succeed in the operation.
The Air Chief said that the Air Force would not relent in its air campaign efforts to ensure that
dislodged terrorists do not regroup or attack communities or the ground forces
carrying out mop up operations.
According the Air Marshall, three EC-135 helicopters ceded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation
to the NAF in March 2016 are
undergoing reactivation processes to boost the number of serviceable platforms.