NAN-DS-5
NAF
By Yahaya Isah
Abuja, Dec. 6, 2017 (NAN) The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Friday said it would continue to protect the territorial integrity of the country.
The Chief of Air Staff, (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, made the promise while briefing newsmen on the activities of the Service in 2016 at the NAF Headquarters,Abuja.
Abubakar said NAF had intensified efforts in its capability to deal with any threat, both internal and external within the nation’s territories.
He said emphasises was also geared toward respect for human rights while its personnel were carrying out their professional duty.
“We had a retreat for the pilots on respect for human rights in 2016.
“All these were aimed at reducing casualties in the course of our professional duties, ” Abubakar said.
He also said that the Service had established 5th Air fleet Command in Bauchi, and some units under it in Gusau and Owerri.
This, he said, became necessary having realised that the number of existing units were no longer adequate for its operations.
The CAS also said that the service had acquired aircraft to enable it to carry out more tasks of protecting the nation’s territorial integrity.
Abubakar said further that the service was expanding its training of pilots to fly the acquired aircraft.
“We have also enhanced our infrastructure, especially accommodation, to make the personnel comfortable to enable them to discharge their duties effectively.
” we have established schools for our children in order for them to have assess for quality education.
“We also have medical facilities for our personnel to cater for their medical needs in our bases,” Abubakar said.
The CAS said skill acquisition had also been organised for the children of personnel in the various barracks to make life meaningful for them.
He said that efforts were also intensified by NAF to make sure that the Boko Haram insurgents would find it difficult to regroup again, having been decimated.
Earlier, Dayo Amao, Director of operations, NAF Headquarters, said the service had contributed greatly to the restoration of peace, security, humanitarian efforts and well being of Nigerians.
According to him, during this period, the NAF had projected air power in various roles that softened the ground for the surface forces and led to the eventual decimation of the operational capability of the insurgents.
Amao also said that the service contributed troops for internal security operations in the country.
“Being mindful of the importance of human capacity development and improved welfare of its personnel, the NAF also carried out training activities both within and outside the country.
“As well as providing basic infrastructure to enhance service delivery,” he said. (NAN)
YI/EAL/AMY
Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi/Abdullahi Yusuf
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