The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has restated the commitment of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) towards ensuring the safety and security all law-abiding citizens. The CAS gave this assurance yesterday, 20 November 2020, at NAF Base Yola, while commissioning 10 refurbished trucks which were auctioned to the NAF by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

Speaking further during the ceremony, the CAS, who was represented by the Chief of Logistics, Headquarters NAF, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Yakubu, stated that the vehicles would go a long way in complementing NAF's logistics vehicle holding thereby boosting the operational efficiency of the Service. He noted that the vehicles would further facilitate the distribution of logistics supplies to Units and operational areas in support of NAF's counter insurgency operations and other internal security efforts. He remarked that the gesture of the NCS in auctioning the vehicles to the NAF, perfectly fits into efforts towards bequeathing a robust logistics support system to the NAF. “Let me therefore place on record our immense appreciation to the Comptroller-General of the NCS, Colonel Hameed Ali (Rtd), for his thoughtfulness”, he said.

While highlighting that the 10 refurbished NCS-auctioned trucks, which include 5 x long-body trucks and 5 x short-body trucks, had been formally allocated to operational units across the country, the CAS noted that the commissioning marked yet another milestone in the efforts at providing necessary equipment to enhance operational readiness of the Service. He stated that the NAF has continued to intensify the tempo of air operations in support of ground forces while still carrying out Air Interdiction operations to neutralize terrorists, insurgents and other criminal elements at their hideouts with the aim of preventing them from launching attacks on ground forces or innocent civilians. The CAS noted that the NAF has continued to make meaningful contributions in various internal security operations across the country aimed at combating all forms of criminality. This, according to him, could be seen in the ongoing OPERATION FARAUTA, in Demsa, Fufore, Mayo-Belwa, Numan, Song and Yola Local Government Areas of Adamawa State.

Speaking further, the CAS revealed that the Service, while striving to equip and train the personnel to enhance their effectiveness and efficiency in carrying out assigned tasks, was also very mindful of the importance of meeting the welfare needs of the personnel. One of the most critical welfare considerations, according to him, is the provision of befitting accommodation for the personnel and their families. To this end, he disclosed that several projects were ongoing in NAF Bases across the country while others were being initiated. The CAS therefore used the opportunity to appreciate the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, for his support towards meeting the equipment, training and welfare needs of the Service. “We also place on record, our appreciation to the National Assembly, especially the Senate and House Committees on Air Force for their support in appropriating the resources required by the Service. Lastly, I would like to thank the Government and good people of Adamawa State for being good hosts to the NAF in Yola and also appreciate the Executive Governor, His Excellency, Umaru Ahmadu Fintiri, for the kind gesture of granting a parcel of land to the NAF, measuring 4.97 hectares at Gombi. The land would enable the NAF easily extend its reach to places within and beyond Adamawa State that would otherwise have been difficult, thereby assisting the NAF bring security closer to those communities”, he added.

In his remarks during the event, the Adamawa State Governor, Rt Honorable Umaru Fintiri, represented by his Chief of Staff, Professor Maxwell Gidado, commended the visionary leadership of the CAS for the laudable achievements recorded by the NAF since 2015. The Governor also applauded the NAF’s efforts in restoring peace in Adamawa State and other parts of the Country.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Commander, Air Task Force (ATF), Air Commodore Abubakar Abdulkadri, stated that the auctioning of the 10 trucks to the NAF by the NCS was an indication of the level of cooperation and synergy between Security Agencies which had continued to facilitate the attainment of common security and developmental goals. He also thanked the CAS for providing conducive work and home environments for personnel to carry out their duties, especially in the provision of befitting accommodation for personnel and their families.

Also present at the event were the Commander 153 Base Services Group Yola as well as Heads of other security agencies in Adamawa State.