The Nigerian Air Force is expected to take delivery of “Augusta 109’’ power helicopter from Italy, soon, to strengthen its arsenal for the fight against insurgency in the North-West.
The Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar stated this at the “2019 First Quarter Chief of Air Staff Conference in Abuja.
Abubakar said that acquisition of the military helicopter was part of renewed efforts of Federal Government to ensure that there was security in the North-West. He said that the focus was particularly in Zamfara, Sokoto and Kaduna states, where a new detachment had been approved by the Air Force Council.
The Chief of Air Staff added that NAF was currently reactivating five of its aircrafts, adding that “3L 39 Live Extension Programme’’ was on in Kano and “MI 35 Live Extension Programme’’ in Port Harcourt.
Abubakar also said that the Force had trained no fewer than 1,000 Special Force elements that were contributing significantly in dealing with insecurity in Zamfara state, where it had 300 Special Force operatives.
