Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, the Chief of Air Staff, has encouraged troops in “Operation Gama Aiki” and men from the 013 Quick Response Force in Minna to keep up the pace of operations against criminals. He advised airmen to refrain from attacking criminals.
Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information at Nigerian Air Force Headquarters, made the announcement in an Abuja statement on Tuesday.
According to him, Air Commodore Sunday Aneke, Director of Operations, Headquarters NAF, issued the charge when he represented Amao at the OPGA Air Component’s Christmas celebration in Minna.
Amao noted that the celebration provided an opportunity for the service to remember the sacrifices of fallen heroes who paid the supreme price in the service to the country.
He stated in his message that the security threats facing Nigeria, and the challenges they presented to the attainment of national development goals require the positioning of a robust security architecture.
The architecture must be capable of rapid employment of airpower in the full spectrum of warfare, he stressed.
“NAF, operating in concert with sister services and other security agencies, has continued to courageously confront various security threats while recording tangible results in the various theatres of operations.
“I must state that I am proud of all our officers, airmen, and airwomen participating in internal security operations in different parts of the country,’’ he stated.
He also appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his continued support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria especially, the NAF.
“It is gratifying to note that operational manpower development in NAF recently received a boost with the winging of 26 new pilots and 31 operators since my assumption of duty.
“I am happy to note that we currently have a total of 195 officers, airmen, and airwomen undergoing various training courses abroad cutting across several specialties and trades.
“Twelve student pilots are undergoing Basic Fighter Training at 403 Flying Training School, Kano, while 12 others are undergoing Basic Transport Training at 401 Flying Training School, Kaduna,’’ Amao stated.
These courses, he explained, were aimed at maintaining combat readiness by increasing the number of pilots to man the ever-increasing inventory of aircraft.
In his remarks, the Commander, 103 QRF, Group Capt. Elisha Bindul assured Nigerians that the Force is dedicated to sustaining the fight against criminality in Niger State, and in the Northwest in general.