From: BillyGraham, Abel-Yola
Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, on Monday, commended officers and men of the Tactical Air Command of the Nigerian Air force, in Yola, Adamawa State, for their gallantry and efforts in the ongoing war against Boko Haram insurgents.
He said their efforts had helped in degrading the insurgents’ activities in the north east.
Marshal Abubakar made the remark during an operational briefing with men of the command in Yola.
The air chief, while addressing the men, lauded their efforts in the maintenance of peace as well as provision of logistics support to other troops, which he said had ensured that Nigerians in the north east live in a secure and safe environment and are comfortable to go about their normal businesses.
Said he, “The Nigerian air force has expended slightly about 9000 flying hours in its flight operations in the fight against terrorism in north east in the last two years.
The air chief noted that, “The success of the operation would not have been possible without the gallantry and dedication of the men of the Nigerian air force.”
He urged the men to redouble their efforts in order to sustain the progress made in the war against Boko Haram in the region.
Marshal Abubakar also noted that the suicide bombings and kidnappings on soft spots in communities in the north east showed that the battle ground was too hot for the insurgents hence the their attacks on soft targets.
He reminded that the operations of the Air Force being funded with the Nigerians’ tax payers money and that the force has a responsibility to justify the resources invested in the cause.
He further said, security in the northeast has improved compared to what it used to be in the past but he however challenged the men to work harder in making Nigeria safe.
The air chief said the NAF would continue in the training and retraining of the air force personnel to ensure the insurgents were completely decimated.