The Nigerian Air Force, NAF is to deploy more troops to the North-East to consolidate on the operational successes, in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency.
Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar stated this while on operational visit in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The Commander, Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole, Air Commodore Precious Amadi, who received the Air Chief
says the Force has flown over 1,600 hours and spent about 1.6million litres of aviation fuel, in its counter-insurgency military operations against insurgency in the North East, from January to date
The operations have so far destroyed 33 targeted locations of the armed groups, carried out about 890 missions and conducted 1,075 sorties in the theatre of war, during the first quarter of the year 2020.
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The Air Chief’s visit would enable him receive new strategic guidance, for the conduct of operations, and to appraise the efforts made so far by the Task Force.
It was also an opportunity for him to interact with the troops, in the theatre.
The routine operational visit also afforded the Chief of Air Staff, the opportunity to commission some projects, executed by the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force and the Commander Air Task Force.
Air Marshal Abubakar says he is proud of his officers and men, for recording the resounding success in combat air operations, against Boko Haram insurgents.
In pursuit of this, and in line with his vision for the Nigerian Air Force, to adequately project air power, he said he will also ensure that personnel welfare, is given utmost priority.
Abubakar inaugurated 3 projects at the Air Task Force premises, in Maiduguri. They include the Operations Centre, the Senior Non-commissioned Officer’s Mess, and the building of 1 x 30 Block for Airmen.
Air Commodore Precious Amadi, recounted that, the Air Chief had previously, inaugurated the state-of-the-art Hangar, for the maintenance of the aircraft fleet, deployed to his Command.
Sadique Abubakar says, he expects that the officers and men will reciprocate the gestures, by not relenting, until the insurgents are completely eliminated.
He also implores the personnel to follow the guidelines, as issued by health authorities to ensure they stay safe from the Coronavirus pandemic.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
