The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has deployed more troops, air assets, equipment and logistics in Katsina and Zamfara states following directives that additional troops be sent to stop bandits in Northwest.
A statement by the spokesperson, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, said the deployment started with NAFโs C-130H transporting logistics in preparation for Operation Diran Mikiya for the area.
The statement reads: โIn compliance with President Muhammadu Buhariโs directives, the Air Force has deployed additional troops and air assets, with necessary ground support, equipment and logistics, to Katsina and Gusau Zamfara States, to support the anti-armed banditry operations in the Northwest.
โThe deployment began on July 29 July with the NAF C-130H aircraft airlifting required logistics in preparation for Operation Diran Mikiya, which started July 31. The air operation is to seek out, pursue and destroy elements engaged in banditry in the states.
โAfter launching the Operation, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Special Operations Command (SOC), Air Vice Marshal Samson Akpasa, said fighter aircrafts, helicopter gunships and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms, with necessary equipment and personnel, had been deployed.โ
