by: Yusuf Alli, •Orders massive air strikes on sect
•To take delivery of Cobra gunships soon
•Friends identify pilot
Vengeance: That is the warning from the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, to Boko Haram following claims by the sect to have beheaded a pilot of the Nigeria Air Force.
Although the DHQ on Friday disputed the claim that any pilot was killed by the terrorists, friends of the military man who was shown by Boko Haram in its latest video as the man they murdered, took to the social media yesterday to ‘confirm’ his death in the hands of the terrorists.
The Nigerian Army Support Group as the ‘friends’ call themselves named him as Wing Commander Chimda Hedima, 39.
They described him as “a true Nigerian hero.”
They said of the circumstances of his death: “On 11/09/14, a company of NA soldiers attempted to overrun a BH position in Borno. Due to the low altitude, the plane suffered significant damage from the terrorists’ gunfire. Wing Commander Hedima and his partner realised that they were going to crash.
“They, instead of hurriedly parachuting to safety within Nigerian controlled territory, chose to embark on a mission to destroy as many terrorists and their weapons as possible. They parachuted out at the last minute but not before ensuring their plane slammed into a column of terrorists; 63 Boko Haram members were killed as a result of their bravery.
“Wing Commander Hedima was captured. On 12/09/14, he was killed.
“He chose Nigeria, he chose all of us. We cannot forget him. Please share his story. His name should be known by everyone.
“Rest in peace, Commander, we are grateful. May you find eternal peace. Thank you for your service.”
But sources at the DHQ said yesterday that regardless of claims about its missing pilot, the military will battle on and deal decisively with Boko Haram.
One of the sources said: “In spite of whatever the insurgents may claim, I can tell you that the battle has shifted more to the air than land. The military has ordered more air strikes against all the positions or camps of Boko Haram.
“We will bombard the insurgents into submission. They cannot intimidate our jet fighters. As a matter of fact, more pilots are willing to join the aerial raid. It is going to be a battle to the finish.
“More fighter jets have been deployed in the relevant areas in strategic manner. The purported shooting down of 10 aircraft is a hoax.”
Responding to a question, the source added: “We are not only after those who claimed to have beheaded a pilot; we will deal with all the leaders of the sect and their members.
“We have the capacity to take the battle to them. We will engage these insurgents and overcome them.”
Already, the military has placed an order for AH-1 Cobra helicopters for attacks on Boko Haram enclaves in Sambisa Forest and the hilly terrains of Gwoza and Madagali in Borno and Adamawa states.
Another source said: “Actually the AH-1 Cobra helicopters are good for the terrain in the North-East. Many countries, including the United States, have used these gunships in the past.
“The Cobra helicopters were deployed by the US during the Vietnam War. The situation in Sambisa Forest could be likened to what was then obtainable in Vietnam.”
The Huey Cobra, according to Wikipedia “provided support for ground forces during the Vietnam War.”
The AH-1 (company designation: model 209) is a two-blade, single engine attack helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It was developed using the engine, transmission and rotor system of the Bell’s UH-1 Iroquois.
Some people call it Snake.
