By Abraham Olatunbosun
Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, has charged Nigerian Air Force (NAF) operational Commanders in the various theatres of operation across the country to ‘show no mercy’ and ensure they employ maximum firepower against terrorists posing security threats in the country.
This is coming barely 24 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari revealed that he had given Nigeria’s security forces full freedom to wipe off bandits and other criminals terrorising Nigerians.
Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet,
Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, said this in a statement today.
He said while commending them for their efforts as well as the improved synergy with sister Services and other security agencies, Air Marshal Amao also underscored the need for effective allocation and utilization of all NAF platforms deployed for operations in the Northwest and North-central for enhanced operational effectiveness.
Doing so, according to the CAS, will deny the terrorists freedom of movement while boosting the confidence of the populace and ensuring a peaceful country.
Air Marshal Amao made these assertions when he met with frontline Air Officers Commanding (AOC) and Air Component Commanders (ACCs) at the NAF Base yesterday in Kaduna.
Speaking further, the CAS noted that though the security environment remains fluid and uncertain with terrorists moving between the north-east, north-west and north central, the need to continually modify NAF’s air power strategies to stay ahead of the asymmetric and unconventional nature of terrorists’ activities is of paramount importance.
According to him, “We have a responsibility to secure our nation and give our citizens a sense of hope, trust and belonging.
“Therefore, we must ensure that we stay ahead of the enemy and envisage his next line of action.”
He then charged them to show no mercy against any terrorist and their accomplices while also denying them the freedom of movement and ease to cause mayhem against innocent Nigerians.
Air Marshal Amao then assured them that training of more combat pilots, imagery analysts and other specialties in the NAF would continue to be of utmost priority so as to address the manpower challenges within the operation areas.
He also said that efforts were at advanced stage to procure more combat platforms for the NAF to meet the ever-increasing demands of air assets in various theatres of operations across the nation.
Other issues addressed during the interface included the need to ensure speedy procurement circle of aircraft spares to minimise aircraft down-time amongst other issues.
