The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) has commenced the airlift of relief materials to riverine communities affected by the recent flooding in Bayelsa.
Spokesman, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
He said the relief materials were airlifted by the C-130 aircraft from Enugu to Port Harcourt and were subsequently ferried to Igbogenne in Bayelsa using the Mi-35M and EC-135 helicopters.
Gabkwet said more relief materials are expected to be airlifted in the coming days from other parts of the country to affected flooded communities in Bayelsa State and other states of the federation.
Gabkwet said,”The NAF has a long history of providing aids in form of airlift to civil authourities.
“Recall that in March 2020, the NAF airlifted medical materials donated by the Jack Ma foundation consisting of 107 boxes of medical supplies and equipment weighing over 1,360kg.
“Also,in April 2020, the NAF airlifted medical equipment and supplies donated by the Turkish government from Lagos to Abuja. Additionally, in March 2021, the NAF airlifted Covid-19 medical relief materials donated by the Economic Community of West Africa states.”
Recent flooding in across Nigeria has been overwhelming, resulting in the death of more than 600 people.
About 1.3 million people are said to have been displaced while more than 200,000 homes have been destroyed.