The Nigerian Air Force is revamping its
operations against Boko Haram fighters in the northeast of the country
by establishing a special forces command, chief of air staff, Sadique
Abubakar, disclosed on Thursday, January 21.
Sadique Abubakar, who made the disclosure at the National Defence College, Abuja, during a lecture titled: “Nigerian Air Force: Challenges and Future Perspectives”, said
the new command was part of the planned restructuring of NAF’s
operational command to conform with contemporary demands on national
security.
He said: “The Air Force is not only fighting in the air, and therefore, whatever it is that we need to have to fulfill our mandate in the face of the present challenges is what we are working toward putting on the ground.
“We are establishing a new command known as the Special Forces Command as part of ongoing restructuring of our operations.
“The establishment of the Special Forces Command would facilitate the development of NAF’s response capability in both internal and external security operations, as well as increase Nigeria’s self-reliance in strategic security operations.
Abubakar said the force has taken some policy decisions to enhance its operational capabilities which included upgrading some combat units and established new ones.
“Among the upgraded units are the 305 helicopter group and 95 helicopter combat unit.
“The new ones include the establishment of the 89 Combat Group to be located in Bauchi to aid combat operations with air logistics in the North-East.’’
“Going forward’’, Mr. Abubakar said, warfare in the Nigerian Air Force would be dictated by advancement in technology and appropriate manpower development,” he said.
He mentioned lack of funds as challenges that have hampered the activities of the force in time past, but added that the Buhari administration had improved its operational capability with additional platforms.
In identifying internal and external security threats faced by the NAF, he listed political indiscipline, insurgency, militancy, state of the economy, unguarded Nigerian borders and proliferation of arms as some of the challenges the force was faced with.
Meanwhile, four terrorist suspects have been shot dead and scores injured during their attack on Nigeria’s Army Chief of Staff village in Borno State on Wednesday, January 20.
Boko Haram militants invaded the village near the Biu local government area (LGA) on Wednesday and got engaged in a gun battle with the army, which lasted more than two hours.
Soldiers have repelled the terrorist attack, killing four jihadists in process. The attack as well as its exact location is yet to be confirmed by the military.
He said: “The Air Force is not only fighting in the air, and therefore, whatever it is that we need to have to fulfill our mandate in the face of the present challenges is what we are working toward putting on the ground.
“We are establishing a new command known as the Special Forces Command as part of ongoing restructuring of our operations.
“The establishment of the Special Forces Command would facilitate the development of NAF’s response capability in both internal and external security operations, as well as increase Nigeria’s self-reliance in strategic security operations.
Abubakar said the force has taken some policy decisions to enhance its operational capabilities which included upgrading some combat units and established new ones.
“Among the upgraded units are the 305 helicopter group and 95 helicopter combat unit.
“The new ones include the establishment of the 89 Combat Group to be located in Bauchi to aid combat operations with air logistics in the North-East.’’
“Going forward’’, Mr. Abubakar said, warfare in the Nigerian Air Force would be dictated by advancement in technology and appropriate manpower development,” he said.
He mentioned lack of funds as challenges that have hampered the activities of the force in time past, but added that the Buhari administration had improved its operational capability with additional platforms.
In identifying internal and external security threats faced by the NAF, he listed political indiscipline, insurgency, militancy, state of the economy, unguarded Nigerian borders and proliferation of arms as some of the challenges the force was faced with.
Meanwhile, four terrorist suspects have been shot dead and scores injured during their attack on Nigeria’s Army Chief of Staff village in Borno State on Wednesday, January 20.
Boko Haram militants invaded the village near the Biu local government area (LGA) on Wednesday and got engaged in a gun battle with the army, which lasted more than two hours.
Soldiers have repelled the terrorist attack, killing four jihadists in process. The attack as well as its exact location is yet to be confirmed by the military.
Great job government
ReplyDeleteWe are establishinga new command known as special forces command as part of ongoing restructuring of our operations #take note @greatprof
ReplyDeleteDon't like politics joor just tackle bkharam...God help u
ReplyDelete