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.
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, 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. Since the
recent deployment the NAF has increased air operations around critical
infrastructure in Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States.
These
include 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.
Meanwhile,
the NAF wishes to urge 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.