The Director, Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Dele Alonge, said in a statement on Sunday night that the trucks which were covered and parked in different locations were destroyed by the NAF Agusta helicopter on armed reconnaissance mission at Belel, along the nation’s border with Cameroon.
He said, “Two trailers suspected to be carrying logistics support to members of the Boko Haram terrorists’ sect have been intercepted and destroyed by the Nigerian Air Force Agusta helicopter on armed reconnaissance mission around the Nigeria-Cameroon border.
“The trailers were covered and parked at different locations in the bush around the border town of Belel.”
Alonge said the recent intensified aerial campaign, designed to provide support to the ground troops led by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai, was coordinated by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sadique Abubakar.
“The recent air operation against the insurgents was commanded by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, from NAF reconnaissance aircraft, the King Air 350i.
“The CAS coordinated the various NAF platforms involved in the operation to provide close air support to ground forces, led by the Chief of the Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, as they advance from Dikwa to Gamboru Ngala.”
The Air Force Spokesman said that a NAF attack helicopter, which was hit during the operation was flown to base by the pilot and was repaired and sent back to continue with the mission.
According to him, the insurgents got and damaged one of the main rotor blades of the NAF 260 Mi, attack helicopter.
Comments
Post a Comment