The Nigerian Air Force has reassured its commitment to playing it’s part to ensuring the total elimination of Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast and banditry in other parts of the country.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar made the commitment during lunch at the flight line of the 153 NAF base Yola to mark this years’ Eid-El Kabir Sallah celebration.

The CAS who was represented by the Chief of Communication and Information System of the Nigerian air force reiterates on the need for officers at the front line of the fight against insurgency in the northeast not to relent in their efforts.

“Let me assure us that the procurement of additional platforms such as the Super Tucano, the GF-17, unmanned areal vehicle, and platforms will certainly be game-changers to our operations.

“We are committed to ensuring the total elimination of insurgency and banditry in our country, ” the CAS said.

The air chief said he was delighted to mark the Eid-El Kabir celebration with the officers in Yola which the essence is to help fill the void created by not being able to celebrate with their families because they deployed at the front line.

He said that the lunch “is to foster relationships and give all of us the opportunity to commend ourselves for our efforts in the fight against insurgency. Let me seize this opportunity to comment on the air task force commander for his effort at ensuring that personnel and units in the northeast remain undaunted and committed to the war against insurgency.

I want to thank all of your personnel for your contributions and sacrifices that you’ve made in support of this operation. Incidentally, this celebration is all about sacrifices, accordingly, our sacrifices for the unity project of Nigeria cannot be seen to be too much.”

Air marshal Sadique used to opportunity to remind officers of the enormous responsibility they bare in ensuring the invincibility of the country.

” The vision of the Chief of the Air Staff has been to reposition the Nigerian air force into a highly professional and disciplined force through capacity building initiatives for effective, efficient, and timely employment of air power in response to Nigeria’s national security imperative.

“To this end, we have vigorously trained the requisite manpower to have the capacity to operate all the sophisticated equipment the federal government has provided for us. As such we cannot allow ourselves to be taken unawares, ” he added.

He cautioned troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole to conduct themselves professionally and shun unnecessary confrontation with civilians.

“I would also want to add, that as you conduct operations professionals as you should, you also avoid acts that will paint the noble profession of the Nigerian air force in a bad light. Shun unnecessary confrontation with members of the public as well as refrain from illicit substances abuse. The Nigerian air force of today has no place for those who indulge in such.

“Also, the current pandemic of coronavirus is very much with us. Continue to abide by the NCDC protocols of the use of facemask, social distancing, always wash your hands regularly and use hand sanitizers, ” the air chief stressed.

He also used the opportunity to appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari for providing the air force with the resources they require to perform their duties.

Adamawa state deputy governor, Chief Crowther Seth who represented the governor at the lunch charge officers of the Nigerian airforce to maintain the tempo in the fight against an insurgency while assuring them of the state government’s support.

Also speaking at the event, the commander of the 153 Services Group, Yola, Air Commodore MMuhammedYusuf thanked the Chief of the Air Staff for the continuous support rendered to the NAF base Yola to help them carry out their duties effectively.

“The Nigerian air force base Yola will continue to play it’s a pivotal role in the fight against insurgency. We are committed to ensuring a safe nation and the chief of the air staff has provided us with the necessary requirement in cash and in-kind to enable us effectively and efficiently to discharge our duties as we are committed to the discharge of the assigned task.

“We will ensure Adamawa state in particular and the entire northeast is safe from insurgency, ” he said.