February 20, 2018

The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) has contributed a substantial number of troops to the ongoing Joint Operation tagged: ‘Karamin Goro’ in Niger state, as well as other internal security operations in Nigeria.

The NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, AVM Olatokunbo Adesanya, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

Adesanya said that the joint operation was part of efforts to tackle armed banditry and other forms of criminal activities in the state.

“As part of efforts to curb the menace of kidnapping, armed banditry, cattle rustling and other forms of criminalities in Niger state.

“ The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has contributed a substantial number of troops to the ongoing Joint Operation codenamed, OPERATION KARAMIN GORO,” he said.

He said NAF personnel are participating in the one month Joint Operation, in collaboration with personnel of the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police and Department of State Services.

Adesanya said that the operation, which commenced on Feb. 18, was part of efforts by the Niger government to enhance security of lives and property in the state.

He said that NAF had also been involved in various internal security operations across the country, as part of its statutory responsibilities of defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

Adesanya listed the internal security operations to include; the fight against insurgency in the North East, cattle rustling, kidnapping, armed banditry in the North West, militancy in the South-South and pipeline vandalism in the South West.

He recalled that the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, recently announced the establishment of additional Forward Operational Bases (FOBs) in Taraba, as well as the Benue-Nassarawa states Axis.

He said that all these operations were part of plans to further tackle the incessant herdsmen-farmers clashes in the country.

The spokesman said that NAF has also been training personnel of its Regiment Specialty in Special Warfare, aimed at enhancing its ability to protect the lives and property of civilians during internal security situations.

According to Adesanya, “OPERATION KARAMIN GORO” could come to an end by Feb.21, “unless the situation demands otherwise. ‘’