Insecurity: Air Force Chief Meets Commanders, Says Armed Forces Will Not Let Nation Down

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, yesterday, said the Armed Forces of Nigeria could not afford to let the nation down at this critical time in the nation’s history.

He met with war commanders of the Nigerian Air Force in Abuja and ordered them to evolve new strategies to contain insecurity in the country.

He spoke at a meeting with the largest gathering of NAF commanders comprising branch heads, directors, commandants, commanders as well as air component commanders.

“So much is expected of us by the Nigerian people in ensuring we clear all areas of criminals and their tendencies. Therefore, we cannot afford to let Nigerians down,” he said.

He also called on them to use the period of the meeting to “evolve strategies to improve NAF operations as well as enhance its logistics support systems and maintenance practices while ensuring the serviceability of air assets for optimal employment of airpower capabilities in joint operations.

“We must, therefore, use this period of introspection to evolve strategies to improve our operations as well as enhance our logistics support systems and maintenance practices while ensuring the serviceability of our air assets for optimal employment of airpower capabilities in joint operations.

“I am confident that the resolutions we would reach and indeed the decisions we would take will enable us to move the NAF to greater heights,” he added.

The NAF boss said the air force would soon take delivery of more platforms to boost its air power capabilities.

“I am particularly delighted to note that we have started taking delivery of additional air assets purchased for us by the Federal Government. Indeed, only last week, we received the two remaining Diamond-62 Multi-Purpose Platforms at a brief but colourful ceremony held in Ilorin, Kwara State,” he said.

He said NAF would, in no distant time, be inducting other new platforms acquired for the service, and that when inducted, the additional aircraft would  add considerable impetus to NAF operations in dealing with insurgents, terrorists and other criminal elements plaguing the nation.