The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has said the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) has deployed over 300 Special Forces in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States for the success of Operation Whirl Stroke.
Abubakar added that an array of fighter aircrafts, Mi-35 helicopter as well as Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms were also deployed to the military campaign to restore peace and orderliness in the troubled states.
A statement by the forceโs spokesman, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, said the Air Chief spoke when he visited the Headquarters of Operation Whirl Stroke in Makurdi, Benue State, with top Officers of the NAF and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee of the NAF, Samson Okwu.
The statement reads: โThe Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, in continuation of the series of visits undertaken to assess and enhance the operational effectiveness of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) units across the country, on June 23, visited NAF units in Makurdi.
โThe visit afforded the CAS the opportunity to visit the Headquarters of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) and to interact with NAF personnel deployed for the operation. The Chairman, House Committee on the Air Force, Samson Okwu, accompanied the CAS on the visit.
โThe CAS and other senior officers were briefed by the Joint Task Force Commander, Maj.-Gen. Adeyemi Yekini and the Air Component Commander/Deputy Force Commander (OPWS), Group Capt. Precious Amadi.
โThe briefing highlighted the successes recorded since the start of the Operation โ reduction in violence in the three states (Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba) under the Forceโs area of responsibility.
โThe CAS said the NAF was committed to the security of life and property of Nigerians. He said the NAF had, therefore, contributed about 300 Special Forces to OPWS, with the deployment of an array of fighter aircrafts, Mi-35 helicopter gunships, as well as Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance platforms to end insecurity.
โThe CAS was satisfied with the progress achieved in the operation and lauded the Commander, officers and men of OPWS for the successes. He assured them that the NAF would continue to provide all necessary support to ensure even greater results in the operation.โ
โOne of the highlights of the visit was the formal induction of the Mi-35P helicopter gunship, NAF 531, for combat duties in OPWS, as part of NAFโs contributions towards curbing violence in Benue State and environs.โ
