WAR ON TERRORISM: Chief of Air Staff Tells Nigerians What To Expect

The Chief of Air Staff (NAF), Air Marshall Adesola Amosu, has told Nigerians what to expect in the ongoing war against Boko Haram.

ThisDay reports that Amosu, who called on all the personnel of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to brace up for a long war against the Boko Haram terrorists and their likes, said the counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations will last longer than expected.

He reportedly gave the hint while speaking on Saturday night during the Air Force end-of-year get-together 2014 at the NAF Conference and Suites, Kado, Abuja where outstanding officers and personnel of the service were rewarded.

The chief of air staff said even in areas where terrorism had been defeated, there are work to be done in form of mop-up operations.

While speaking on changing scope of warfare and emerging security threats,
he said the NAF authorities would introduce several administrative, operational and tactical changes to the service.

Amosu further stated that by February next year, the NAF will ensure the integrity of the airspace by gaining and maintaining control of the air while retaining a credible capacity to fulfill other air power tasks demanded by national defence and security imperatives, noting that it would likely be changed to reflect the emerging security realities.

The air force boss also promised to improve the NAF Armament Department, transport and weapons delivery, as well as surveillance and tactical capability.

“The war against terrorism and insurgency is going to continue. This is because insurgency and terrorism don’t just go out in a day even when it seems to have died down… We may still need to embark on mop up operation. In fact I have said that the mission statement of NAF has to change and that may happen by February next year. I am also delighted about the armament department, its a serious department because NAF must be able to deliver weapons and effective in the area of Transport.  Surveillance will continue to be relevant, we will also continue with strategic air lift and our tactical capability will continue to improve. I want to thank all officers and men for wonderful support and followership. We don’t look for heroes, we look for team players and in Nigerian Air Force, we have team players. So we are here to celebrate excellence,” he said. 

 

Speaking also at the event, the Minister of Defence, Lt-Gen. Aliyu Gusau (rtd), who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Alhaji Ismaila Aliyu, commended the CAS and NAF for putting up a reward mechanism to encourage their officers and personnel who have excelled in various fields of the service.

“Recognition and reward is one vital tool of motivation.”
He also challenged the air force and other services to redouble their efforts to ensure that the current security are tackled successfully. Our nation is currently experiencing security challenges that demands commitment from our armed forces,” Aliyu, said.

Gusau while speaking on the quest to enhance operational capability pointed out that no military can depend on borrowed technology.
He reiterated that current event had accentuated the need for the force to be self-sufficient in weaponry.
“I must not fail to appreciate the works of air force personnel in the ongoing counter-terrorism in the North-east,” he said.
Meanwhile, Aliyu Gusau, the Minister of Defence, has reassured the military of the federal government’s continued support in the continuing war against Boko Haram sect and other terror groups.

 naijnews