Senator Iroegbu in Abuja
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has deployed additional aircraft to the Niger Delta in support of the military operations code named ‘Operation Pulo Shield’ against militancy, economic sabotage and all forms of criminalities in the South-south region of the country.
Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, in a statement yesterday, said the deployment was necessitated by the recent spate of attacks on the nation’s oil and gas installations by the new militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).
Famuyiwa said the additional platforms, comprising fighter aircraft, helicopter gunship and surveillance aircraft, are intended to enhance the capability of the NAF to undertake offensive air operations and intelligence gathering in support of the surfaces forces.
He noted that since the recent deployment, the NAF has increased air operations around critical infrastructure in Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States.
These, he said, include but not limited to Escravos, Forcados in Delta State; Bonga oil field, Agbami offshore and Brass in Bayelsa; Bonny in Rivers; Qua Iboe Terminal in Akwa Ibom State, and Opuekeba in Ondo State.
The Air force Spokesmen has however, urged members of the public not to panic at the sight of low level flying aircraft but to go about their legitimate businesses.
“The NAF also enjoins any member of the public to avail it or other security agencies with useful information about the where about or activities of the militant group,” he stated.
