Insecurity: NAF Receives Super Tucano Aircraft

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has received the first batch of the A-29 Tucano Air craft.

The aircraft arrived in Kano, on Thursday 22 July 2021.Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information confirmed the arrival of the fighter aircraft in a statement.

“On hand to receive the Tucano aircraft were the Hon. Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (Rtd), Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao”, he said.

The armed turboprops will conduct strikes against Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province and bandits in North-East and North-West regions.aaa

Nigeria paid $462million for twelve Tucanos and other weapons in 2018.

This payment covered Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) systems for six of them.

The aircraft have Paveway II guided bombs, laser-guided rockets, 12.7 mm ammunition, unguided bombs and infrared sensors.

See also “Troops Neutralise Scores of Bandits in Zamfara State” – Army

EMB-314 Super Tucano also known as A-29 is an enhanced version of the EMB-312 Tucano trainer aircraft that features faster speed and higher altitude capabilities.

The prototype of the Super Tucano first flew in 1992. Both Tucano and Super Tucano have been developed and built by Embraer of Brazil.

In addition to basic and advanced pilot training, the main missions of the aircraft are border patrol and counter-insurgency operations.

Chief of Army Staff Commissions New Office Complex in Honour of Late Lieutenant General Attahiru.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya has commissioned a newly constructed office accommodation at the Headquarters, Joint Task Force, North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.

The Director Army Public Relations ONYEMA NWACHUKWU (Brigadier General) made this known in statement published on the verified Facebook page of the Nigerian Army.

A part of the statement reads, “the COAS stated that the new facility is to provide befitting offices to meet demands of the recent expansion and restructuring of the Joint Task Force, North East, Operation HADIN KAI.

See also Nigeria Army Redeploys Senior Officers.

The COAS warm-heartedly disclosed that the complex was christened after the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, to honour him for his contribution and sacrifice towards the upliftment of the Nigerian Army.

The structure, as described by the cantonment maintenance officer, Major Suleiman, has the capacity to accommodate eight staff officers and other supporting staff.

The new office accommodation consists of six medium size en-suite offices, two executive size en-suite offices, two Personal Assistants’ offices, as well as two offices for administrative staff.

Dignitaries present at the occasion were the Chief of Operations Army, Major General Olufemi Akinjobi, Theatre Commander OPHK, Major General Christopher Musa, Provost Marshal Army, Major General Olumuyiwa Aiyenigba

Others include Chief of Military Intelligence (Army) Brigadier General Danladi Salihu, Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division/Commander Sector 1 OPHK, Brigadier General Abdulwahab Eyitayo, Component Commanders OPHK and Principal Staff Officers, amongst others.