News
NAF pilots log 10,000 flight hours on A-29 Super Tucano fleet
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar on Thursday celebrated the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) pilots, who have logged 10,000 flight hours on the A-29 Super Tucano aircraft fleet.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, AVM Edward Gabkwet in Abuja.
Speaking at the event in Kainji, Niger State, Abubakar said the milestone represented the culmination of years of dedication, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to NAF’s mission.
According to him, the mission is ‘ensuring integrity of the airspace by gaining and maintaining control of the air while retaining a credible capacity to fulfil other airpower tasks demanded by National defence and security imperatives.
He said that reaching 10,000 flight hours was no small feat, saying it symbolised countless hours of training, meticulous planning, and flawless execution that had gone into every mission undertaken.
According to him, the feat represented the exceptional skills, professionalism, and resilience of NAF’s brave men and women who have served and are currently serving.
The CAS also expressed delight that the milestone was achieved without any major incident on the aircraft, which he attributed to the high premium the NAF placed on safety.
“Invariably, strict adherences to safety measures emplaced are enabling us to achieve the desired results,’ he said.
While paying tribute to NAF’s fallen heroes, he said the milestone was a reminder of their sacrifices, courage and commitment.
This, he sad, had continued to inspire and remind them of the importance of their mission.
Abubakar reminded the pilots to remain focused on the challenges ahead, adding that the world had continued to change, with new and emerging threats.
According to him, their commitment to excellence must remain steadfast, and we must continue to adapt, innovate, and evolve to stay ahead of our adversaries.
He commended the unit commander and crew for their tireless efforts at ensuring the accomplishment of all missions in support of NAF’s mandate.
The CAS reminded them of the need to be focused and united in their purpose, and resolute in their determination to protect the nation and its interests.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support that had helped the NAF achieve the 10,000 hours milestone and many other feats in recent times.
Earlier, the Air Officer Commanding Air Training Command, AVM Nnamdi Ananaba, said the 10,000 flying hours logged translated to an average of approximately nine hours of daily flying time without break.
Ananaba attributed this feat to the countless hours spent in training, sacrifices made by the brave combat pilots and unwavering support of the ground crew.
He said the 10,000 flying hours logged by the pilots in just three years and without any mishap is a remarkable milestone worthy of celebration even in the most advanced air forces in the world.
According to him, since its induction in August 2021, the A-29 Super Tucano fleet has been involved in several decisive missions in the various operational theatres across the country.
“So far, over 8500 hours flown on the fleet were dedicated to both day and night operational sorties against terrorists, bandits and other violent non-state actors threatening national peace.
“No doubt, the aircraft’s night and precision munitions delivery capability has undoubtedly enhanced NAF’s versatility, flexibility and lethality in all air operations,’’ he said. (NAN)
News
Anka resident commends President Tinubu, Matawalle, CDS Musa for eliminating notorious bandits leader Mati, Others
Residents of Anka Local Government Area in Zamfara State have lauded the
President Bola Tinubu, Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Mohammed Matawalle,and Chief of Defence staff
General Christopher Musa,following the successful elimination of a notorious terrorist commander, Mati, and several of his fighters in a recent counter-terrorism operation backed by the Federal Government.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of Anka community, Muhammed Usman Anka, locals expressed their appreciation to the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Mohammed Matawalle, for his role in supporting the operation.
The mission, part of a broader strategy to tackle insecurity in the Northwest, reportedly led to the recovery of a cache of weapons and the dismantling of key terrorist infrastructure.
According to the statement, the offensive was launched under “Operation Munzo,” a government-led initiative aimed at restoring peace to Zamfara and other violence-plagued regions.
Troops began their advance from Bagega in Anka Local Government, clearing the villages of Tibuki and Sabuwar Tunga before storming the heavily fortified camp of Mati.
The battle, described as intense, culminated in a decisive victory for Nigerian forces. Mati—linked to a series of high-profile attacks, kidnappings, and banditry in the region—was neutralised alongside several of his lieutenants during the exchange of gunfire.
Among the items recovered from the terrorist enclave were one PKT machine gun with two belts of ammunition, five AK-47 rifles, twelve magazines, 487 rounds of ammunition, three Baofeng communication radios, and a set of military and police uniforms.
Troops also destroyed three motorcycles used by the militants and recovered several rustled cattle.
All communications equipment found in the camp was dismantled to disrupt future terrorist coordination.
Speaking on the success of the operation, Dr Matawalle praised the bravery and professionalism of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“Operation Munzo is part of our ongoing strategy to dismantle terrorist strongholds and restore lasting peace to Zamfara and neighbouring states,” he said.
“The days of these criminals are numbered. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued clear directives to deal decisively with terrorists and re-establish law and order nationwide.”
Dr Matawalle reaffirmed the Defence Ministry’s commitment to fully supporting the Armed Forces in their efforts to secure the region.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue cooperating with security agencies by providing timely and credible information.
“Operation Munzo” remains ongoing, with troops combing through forested areas to locate and eliminate remaining insurgent elements.
Niger’s military government has officially made Hausa the country’s new national language, moving away from its colonial past where French played a central role.
The change was announced in a new charter released on March 31, published in a special edition of the government’s official journal.
According to the document, “The national language is Hausa,” and “the working languages are English and French.”
Hausa is already the most commonly spoken language across Niger, especially in the Zinder, Maradi, and Tahoua regions.
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Most of the country’s about 26 million people understand and speak Hausa. In comparison, only around three million people, just 13 per cent, can speak French.
The new charter also officially lists nine other local languages, including Zarma-Songhay, Fula, Kanuri, Gourmanche, and Arabic, as “the spoken languages of Niger.”
This language switch follows a national meeting held in February.
During that event, the military government received more support and General Abdourahamane Tiani, the junta leader, was approved to stay in power for five more years.
Since taking over in a coup in July 2023, which removed the country’s civilian president, Mohamed Bazoum, the junta has been cutting off ties with France.
These actions include removing French troops from the country, ending diplomatic relations, and changing the names of roads and buildings that used to carry French names.
Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, which also have military governments and used to be French colonies, are taking similar steps.
They’ve also withdrawn from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, a group similar to the Commonwealth that supports French-speaking nations.
Leaders of the opposition Labour Party on Wednesday marched to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Led by the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, the members were received by INEC National Commissioner, Sam Olumekun.
They asked the electoral body to recognise Nenadi Usman as the LP chairman, days after the Supreme Court set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja recognising Abure as the National Chairman of the LP.
In a unanimous judgment last week, a five-member panel of the apex court held that the Court of Appeal lacked the jurisdiction to have pronounced Abure National Chairman of the LP, having earlier found that the substance of the case was about the party’s leadership.
The court allowed the appeal filed by Senator Ester Usman, and one other and held that it was meritorious before subsequently proceeding to dismiss the cross-appeal filed by the Abure faction of the LP for being unmeritorious.
Otti read out the Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgement as delivered by Justice Inyang Okoro.
“Consequent upon the foregoing, the decisions of both higher court and the court below recognize Barrister Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the first respondent and hereby set aside and suit number FXC is hereby struck out for want of jurisdiction,” Otti said.
“In the same vein, the first respondent, that is labour party under Abure, being an offshoot of the same judgement of the court is hereby dismissed. Before I am done, may I admonish political parties and their members to endeavour to always abide by their constitutions, rules, regulations and guidelines to guide them in choosing their officers as well as candidates?
“That way, incessant internal risks which always find their way to court should be reduced. If the constitution of a political party has prescribed duration for tenure of office of an officer such as this one, such officer should be humble enough to leave at the expiration of the tenure.
“In the final analysis, I find this appeal to be meritorious and is hereby allowed. The party shall bear their respective cost, appeal allowed. This is signed by Honorable Justice John Inyang Okoro, Justice of the Supreme Court.”