From: Sola Ojo, Kaduna

In order to further cement the age-long relationship with Nigeria, a team of British Military Advisory Training Team (BMATT) on Monday arrived and began training of 300 selected personnel of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on base protection.

The training, according to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, is to further equipped the NAF personnel who protect NAF bases across the country with a view to guide against the re-occurrence of Boko Haram attack on Maiduguri base in 2013 where some air asset were destroyed.

Leader of BMATT team, Commander Riss said the 66-man team were in Nigeria to provide military training to selected Air Force personnel on effective way of manning their bases against any form of attack quickly added that, the training was premised on the long time British experience on warfare and the need to have safer NAF bases the world over.

Air Officer Commanding, Training Command, Kaduna, Air Vice Marshal Christopher Okoye said the training would equipped personnel to protect air bases and facilities across the country.

Christopher said the personnel would undergo a special short term training, designed to develop their capacity “for Air Force protection in a complex air ground environment.

He told the personnel to take the training very seriously, “as you are aware, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadiq Abubakar is investing large resources in procuring air assets and upgrading NAF bases across the country.

“This worthy development requires accelerating the training of personnel to man the assets and facilities.

“In this regard, you were carefully selected to form the nucleus that will train additional personnel for the NAF.”

He further implored the selected personnel to take full advantage of the course by giving a good account of themselves within the six weeks the training will lasted.

According to him, the NAF high command has upgraded training facilities and would build living quarters for the trainees saying, the special course, expected to last for six weeks, would run with the regular Basic Regiment Airmen course.

“This course is unique as the graduates will form the foundation training team for Regiment Speciality.

“To our most valued training partner, the BMATT team, the NAF considers this collaboration necessary in developing a robust pool of regiment personnel within the shortest possible time.”

He however expressed unalloyed loyalty to the Commander-in-Chief, President Mohammadu Buhari and pledged that the NAF “remain committed to protecting the territorial integrity of Nigeria.