The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar has charged the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to redouble its efforts to protect the territory of Nigeria.
Abubakar made the call in NAF Base, Yola on Thursday while addressing officers and men of the Air Component of Operation tagged “Operation Lafiya Dole”.
“We must work hard to justify the investment Federal Government has made and is still making in us.
“We must ensure that no territory of Nigeria is undermined by any individual or group of individuals,” Abubakar said.
The CAS, who was in Yola to celebrate Christmas with the troops, said within the past three and half years, NAF trained 92 pilots and acquired 18 new aircraft.
“We are expecting another 12 from United States. We are equally expecting helicopter gunship from Italy in addition to Russian.
“I think this is the first time for over 30 years that NAF is acquiring such number of aircraft.”
Abubakar said the NAF had undergone restructuring and had been projecting air power not only in Nigeria but within the sub region.
He said that the force would continue to provide opportunities for the upgrading of its personnel skills.
“We, at the headquarters, are working hard to ensure that all you require is provided so that you can put in your best.
“We are also working to ensure that you get training slots all over the world to ensure that you get what you required in terms of skills and knowledge to be able to discharge tasks assigned to you,” Abubakar said.
He also used the occasion to caution them against participating in partisan politics.
Also speaking, Gov. Muhammadu Bindow of Adamawa represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Umar Bindir, lauded the contribution of NAF in restoring security in the state.
The governor assured the state government commitment to continue to partner with it and other security agencies in the state.
Earlier, the Commander of the base, Air Commodore Anthony Ndache, lauded the transformation recorded at the base and reiterated the loyalty of the officers and men to the Commander in Chief.
Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of awards to some deserving officers and airmen that distinguished themselves at the base. With reports by NAN