The Federal Government has ordered 50 new fighter jets to counter terrorists in the Kainji National Park in Niger State.
The Chief of Air Staff, Marshal Bala Abubakar, disclosed this on Wednesday, announcing that the government plans to bolster its anti-banditry operations with the acquisition of the new fighter jets scheduled to arrive in Nigeria between now and next year.
Abubakar added that the aim of acquiring the aircraft is to also strengthen security efforts in the North-West region and across the country, even as terrorists have taken over Kainji.
According to the Chief of Air Staff, the air fleet will include 12 AH-1 attack helicopters, 24 M-346 attack aircraft, 12 Augusta Westland 109 helicopters, and two Casa 295 medium airlift aircraft.
Abubakar made this disclosure at the inauguration of new facilities at the 213 Forward Operational Base in Katsina State, while he also thanked the federal and state governments for their support in combating banditry.
“We are also mindful that the remnants of insurgents from Borno and Yobe states would be considering the option of moving back to Adamawa through the border towns,” he said.
“In this regard, the Nigerian Air Force is intensifying its inner surveillance with a view to taking decisive military action when required to prevent the re-emergence of insurgent activities in the state.
“Let me use this opportunity to inform Your Excellency that the Nigerian Air Force is expecting 50 brand new aircraft in its inventory in the next one and a half to two years. And I intend to station some of them right here in Yola.”
