The Nigerian Air Force will soon deploy its EC 135 and Dolphin helicopters in support of the internal security operation codenamed “OPERATION SHARAN DAJI” in the northwest. The helicopters are to be used for surveillance activities to enhance intelligence gathering as part of the ongoing efforts to checkmate the challenges of armed robbery, kidnapping and cattle rustling in the northwest states including the Kaduna-Abuja road.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar made the disclosure while receiving the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, in his office. Air Marshal Abubakar stated that the helicopter deployment is intended to provide additional impetus for the operation, noting that the helicopters recently handed over to the NAF by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) are undergoing minor reactivation and would soon be deployed for the operation.

The Governor, earlier in his speech, had lauded the NAF for its contributions to internal security operations, particularly in Kaduna State, and the country in general. Mallam El-Rufai said he was in HQ NAF to seek for more support from the NAF towards addressing the security challenges in the State.