The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, has charged personnel of the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) to sustain the current onslaught against terrorists and insurgents in the North East.
Amao gave the charge while on an operational visit to frontline troops of the 105 Composite Group in Maiduguri, Borno State and 103 Strike Group in Yola, Adamawa State.
A statement by the director of public relations and information in the Nigerian Air Force, Air Cdre Edward Gabkwet, said the visit served as morale booster to personnel of the air component.
He said the visit also gave the CAS the opportunity to interact with the front line troops with a view to addressing some of their immediate operational challenges.
On arrival in Maiduguri, Air Marshal Amao was briefed by the Air Component Commander, OPHK, Air Commodore Nnamdi Ananaba, who gave a summary of the major achievements recorded by the component towards degrading the capabilities of insurgents in Borno State, especially in the last 30 days.
The CAS thereafter commended the troops for their commitment to the current onslaught against insurgents in the North east, while urging them to sustain and maintain the momentum.
He said; “The outcome of our air operations has been very encouraging and positive and we must sustain these efforts to remain on course towards meeting our overall end state of ridding the region of these criminals,”
He, therefore, charged the troops to remain focused and committed towards their operational objective.
He said absolute commitment, discipline and dedication were required at this point in time to get the job done.
Amao also expressed optimism that the security threats confronting the country would soon be a thing of the past as the NAF, in synergy with other sister services was working assiduously to flush out all criminal elements so as to enable Nigerians go about their daily lives and businesses without fear.
He stated that in view of the centrality of air power in joint operations, the NAF would continue to provide the much-needed air support for the surface forces in all theatres of operation in the country.
While in Yola, Air Marshal Amao thanked the personnel for their commitment and dedication to duty and charged them to continue to synergize with other security agencies within their location.
He also assured them that the entire nation remained grateful for their sacrifices and commitment towards keeping Nigeria safe.
He said during the interactive session, several issues pertaining to welfare, promotion and discipline, among others, were addressed by the CAS.
