Nigerian Air Force declared on Tuesday that it had joined the ongoing Operation Python Dance in the South-East and had deployed its fighter jet in the region.

NAF said its deployment of “air assets” to the operation was based on a request by the army and in line with its constitutional mandate to ensure national peace and security.

NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, said Alpha Jet was deployed and would operate from air force 115 Special Operations Group, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He said, “In line with its commitment to national peace and security, air force has deployed some of its air assets, including Alpha Jet aircraft, to its 115 Special Operations Group in Port Harcourt, to support the ongoing Nigerian Army’s Exercise Egwu Eke II.

“The essence of the deployment is to provide the necessary air cover for the ground troops to enhance overall operational cohesion and efficiency. The wide expanse of the exercise area and the request by Nigerian Army for close air support made the involvement of the NAF inevitable.

“The deployment of the air assets in support of Nigerian Army is thus in fulfilment of one of the constitutional mandates of NAF.”

Punch