NAF deploys additional aircraft to South-South for Operation Pulo Shield

From ODIMMEGWA JOHNPETER, Abuja

THE Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has deployed additional aircraft to the Niger Delta in support of the military operations codenamed “OPERATION PULO SHIELD” against militancy, economic sabotage and all forms of criminalities in the South-South region of the country.

This is contained in a statement from Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigeria Air Force.

According to Famuyiwa, the deployment was necessitated by the recent spate of attacks on the Nation’s oil and gas installations by the new militant group, Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).

The additional platforms, he further stated, comprising fighter aircraft, helicopter gunship and surveillance aircraft were intended to enhance the capability of the NAF to undertake offensive air operations and intelligence gathering in support of the ground forces.

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He further noted that since the recent deployment, the NAF had increased air operations around critical infrastructure in Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States.

These, according to him, included but not limited to Escravos, Forcados in Delta State; Bonga Oil Field, Agbami offshore and Brass in Bayelsa; Bony in Rivers; Qua Iboe Terminal in Akwa Ibom State, and Opuekeba in Ondo State.

The statement further 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 enjoined 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.