Defence Minister commends NAF’s role in counter insurgency operations

From: Rose Ejembi, Makurdi

Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mansur Dan-Ali has commended the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for playing crucial roles in the counter insurgency operations in the north eastern part of the country.

Dan-Ali who gave the commendation yesterday during the maiden graduation ceremony of 29 officers from the Air War College in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, expressed joy that the country, within two years, had been able to revitalise the Armed Forces for the full restoration of the Nigerian territorial integrity that was once violated by the Boko Haram insurgents.

Represented by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonishakin, the Minister who noted that although a great feat had been achieved by the security forces in curtailing these threats, so much still needs to be done, adding that, “There is no doubts that the resources required to realise the full potential of the Armed Forces are limited in view of the competing demands of other sectors.”

While noting that the graduation of the officers from the Air War College was coming at a time when injecting fresh ideas into the nation’s military  system has become one of the top priorities of the services, the Minister charged them to see their graduation from the Air War College as the beginning of a new phase in their career to national service.

“Moreover, the threat of terrorism, insurgency and other security challenges like militancy, kidnapping, armed robbery, organised crimes among others demand news skills in the development of effective continued measures.”

“This is where your knowledge of joint operation in general and air power in particular will be required to further ensure that peace returns to the north east and other trouble zones in the country.”

Earlier in a speech, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar assured that the graduands from the Air War College would add value to NAF’s participation in several conflict areas in the country.

Twenty-nine participants, comprising 26 officers of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), one officer of the Nigeria Army (NA) and two officers of the Nigerian Navy (NN) graduated from the Air War College (AWC) Course 1 of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and were conferred with the Air Fellowship of the AWC.