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The Elite Strike Shield Safeguarding Nigeria’s Air Power: NAF PANTHERS
The Elite Strike Shield Safeguarding Nigeria’s Air Power: NAF PANTHERS
The elite strike shield safeguarding Nigeria’s air power: NAF PANTHERS. Disciplined, adaptive and relentlessly mission-focused, the Nigerian Air Force Special Forces, the Panthers, represent the sharp edge of ground combat capability within the NAF Regiment.
Purpose-built to secure the foundation upon which air power thrives, they embody the doctrinal evolution of the Nigerian Air Force into a fully integrated air–ground combat institution. Carefully selected and rigorously trained, the Panthers have been shaped through sustained capacity-building programmes at home and abroad, aligned with global special operations standards.
Their expertise spans special reconnaissance, airborne insertion, close-quarters battle and counter-terrorism operations, reflecting a force structured not merely for defence, but for decisive action in complex and high-threat environments.
As the indispensable ground shield of the Nigerian Air Force, the Panthers guarantee the secure environment required for sustained air dominance. Their operational spectrum extends from perimeter defence and rapid-response deployments to close protection of high-value assets and aircrew, landing zone security, convoy escort and integrated joint missions across multiple theatres nationwide.
Technologically enabled and tactically superior, they combine advanced marksmanship, night-fighting capability, secure communications and rapid mobility platforms to operate with precision and speed. Their training architecture reflects continuous benchmarking against leading global special operations forces, ensuring interoperability, doctrinal relevance and enduring operational readiness in an evolving security landscape.
NAF
Battle-tested and nationally respected, the Panthers have repeatedly neutralised threats, repelled coordinated attacks on critical installations, executed precision rescue missions and reinforced national counter-insurgency campaigns.
Each secured air base and protected aircraft underscores their central role in enabling sustained air operations. A formidable elite formation whose courage, skill and global-standard training ensure that the Nigerian Air Force can project air power with confidence, credibility and continuity.
The Panthers stand as the unyielding guardians of Nigeria’s air sovereignty, continuously adapting, modernising and sharpening their edge to prevail wherever duty calls.
2026: JAMB Releases 632,788 UTME Results, Warns Against Score Manipulation
JAMB releases 632,788 UTME results. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the release of results for 632,788 candidates who sat for the first day of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
In a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, the board said the results of candidates who wrote the examination on Thursday, April 16, 2026, are now available for viewing.
“The results of candidates who sat the 2026 UTME on Thursday, 16 April 2026, have been released and are now available for viewing,” Mr Benjamin said.
According to the board, candidates can check their results by sending UTMERESULT via SMS to 55019 or 66019 using the same phone number used during registration.
JAMB
“At this stage, candidates may view their results only; printing is not yet available. Candidates are strongly cautioned against manipulating the SMS received from the official platform (55019/66019) to fabricate or alter scores with the intent to mislead others, including parents. Such actions constitute a serious criminal offence,” the statement added.
Mr Benjamin further added the board treats misconduct with the utmost gravity, explaining that two candidates and a parent are under custody of the board for engaging in result falsification using AI and other electronic means.
“Any candidate found culpable will face the full consequences of the law.The examination is ongoing, and results will continue to be released as they become available,” he concluded.
Police Rescue Kidnap Victims, Arrests Five Suspects In Delta
Police rescue kidnap victims. The police command in Delta has confirmed the arrest of five suspected kidnappers and the rescue of abducted victims following the bust of a criminal hideout along Warri–Sapele Road in Adeje Community.
This was disclosed on Friday by the command’s spokesman, Bright Edafe, who added that fabricated Beretta pistols, three rounds of live ammunition, and locally made guns were recovered during the raid.
“The Command has recorded a significant breakthrough in the investigation of a kidnapping incident that occurred on 1 February 2026 at about 2000hrs, along the Warri–Sapele Road by Adeje Community, culminating in the rescue of victims, arrest of key members of a notorious syndicate, and recovery of firearms.
“The incident was reported on 4 February 2026 at about 1700hrs, following the abduction of a group of travellers who were ambushed by armed hoodlums,” Mr Edafe said, adding that the criminals armed with guns and other weapons forcefully took the victims into the bush.
“Two of the victims managed to escape and promptly raised an alarm, triggering a coordinated response involving the Police, the Nigerian Army, and local vigilantes. Sustained pressure from the joint security team forced the kidnappers to abandon the remaining victims, who were subsequently rescued unhurt.
Police
“Acting swiftly on credible intelligence, operatives of Orerokpe Division arrested one Dafiaga Timothy (male) on the same day, 4 February 2026, while attempting to withdraw money using one of the victim’s ATM cards at a POS point in Adeje Community,” he added.
However, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Orerokpe Division, was directed to transfer the case to the CP-Special Assignment Team for further investigation.
Strengthening Nigeria’s Airspace: NAF, NAMA Build Next-Generation Air Traffic, Radar Expertise
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), through the Air Traffic Services Training Centre (ATSTC), has reinforced its strategic role in enhancing Nigeria’s airspace safety and security with the graduation of the Maiden Air Traffic Control and Surveillance Radar Course (ACSR 1/2024) for 20 Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) ATCO cadets, alongside 29 Non-Commissioned Officers on Air Traffic Control Assistant/Base Operations Upgrading Course 9/2026.
The graduation ceremony, held on 17 April 2026 at the ATSTC Parade Ground, was attended by senior military officers and civil aviation stakeholders. The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, represented by the Chief of Training, Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Yusuf Dari, emphasized the critical importance of sustained collaboration between the NAF and NAMA. Similarly, the Managing Director of NAMA, Engr Farouk Ahmed Umar, represented by Alhaji Sa’id Musa, highlighted the value of the partnership in addressing capacity gaps in air traffic control within Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The comprehensive training, which spanned 65 weeks for the ACSR course and 4 weeks for the upgrading course, covered key operational areas including aerodrome control, approach procedural control, and advanced surveillance radar systems.
These competencies are vital not only for ensuring safe and efficient civil aviation operations but also for strengthening national airspace management in support of ongoing counter-insurgency and internal security operations. Enhanced radar surveillance and air traffic control capabilities significantly improve situational awareness, coordination, and response effectiveness in complex operational environments. The Air Officer Commanding Air Training Command, Air Vice Marshal EP Efanga, further underscored the importance of sustained training excellence in building operational capacity for both military and civil aviation sectors.
In his remarks, the Commandant ATSTC, Air Vice Marshal NB Folaji, commended the graduates for their discipline and resilience, while reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to excellence in training.
The NAF’s continued accreditation by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) as an Approved Training Organization further underscores its dedication to delivering world-class, standardized aviation training. In line with the vision of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the Service remains committed to building a highly skilled, technologically proficient force capable of meeting evolving airpower demands.
Strengthening Nigeria’s Airspace:
The vote of thanks was delivered by the Deputy Commandant, Group Captain US Maibuhu, marking yet another milestone in the NAF’s enduring contribution to national security, airspace governance, and sustainable development.
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