Marshal Sadique Abubakar, spoke to reporters on August 29,
2020.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar on
Saturday said the Nigerian Air Force is committed to ensuring the
security of Nigerians so they can “pursue their legitimate
aspirations without fear.”
The message was contained in a statement signed by NAF
Spokesman, Ibikunle Daramola, and released after Abubakar inspected
air maritime facilities in Benin-city.
According to the statement, Abubakar commended personnel of the
107 Air Maritime Group (107 AMG) in Benin for their contributions
to the efforts of the NAF to ensure a secured Nigeria.
Marshal Sadique Abubakar, salutes during a trip to Benin-city on
August 29, 2020.
The Air Force chief also reiterated that the NAF, in
collaboration with other security agencies, will continue to work
round the clock to keep the country safe.
READ THE NAF’S FULL STATEMENT
NATIONAL SECURITY: CAS INSPECTS FACILITIES AT 107 AIR MARITIME
GROUP BENIN, COMMENDS PERSONNEL FOR COMMITMENT TOWARDS ENSURING A
SECURED NIGERIAThe Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Baba
Abubakar, has commended personnel of the 107 Air Maritime Group
(107 AMG) Benin for their contributions in the efforts of the
Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to ensure a secured Nigeria. While making
the commendation, the CAS also reiterated that the NAF, working in
synergy with sister Services and other security agencies, would
continue to work round the clock so that Nigerians in every part of
the country would be able to pursue their legitimate aspirations
without fear. Air Marshal Abubakar made this commitment today, 29
August 2020, while on an operational visit to the 107 AMG to
inspect facilities and infrastructure preparatory to the deployment
of special mission aircraft to Benin as part of the Federal
Government’s Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection
Infrastructure aimed at comprehensively tackling insecurity in
Nigeria’s territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), up
to the Gulf of Guinea.The CAS, who was accompanied by Branch Chiefs, Directors and
other senior officers from the NAF Headquarters, was received on
arrival in Benin by the Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command
(AOC TAC), Air Vice Marshal Olusegun Philip. He was subsequently
briefed on the activities of the 107 AMG by the Commander, Air
Commodore Enebong Effiom, before proceeding to inspect the Aircraft
Hangar and Taxiway, proposed site for Aircraft Shelters, Bulk Fuel
Installation (BFI) facility as well as existing office and
residential accommodations both within and outside the NAF Base,
including the ongoing construction of a 30 x one bedroom
accommodation for airmen.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});In his remarks after the inspection, Air Marshal Abubakar
expressed satisfaction with the contributions of the 107 AMG in the
NAF’s efforts towards ensuring that Nigeria is secured. He noted
that the ATR-42 aircraft, which operates from Benin, had been
flying combat support missions all over the Country, including
Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna and Niger States, amongst others.
“As I speak to you now, the ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 930, is currently
conducting missions in the North East of the Country. So clearly
your Unit is contributing significantly to what we are doing to
ensure that our country is secured and our people can pursue their
legitimate aspirations without fear”, the CAS added.Speaking further, Air Marshal Abubakar revealed that the purpose
of his visit was to assess facilities and infrastructure for the
imminent deployment of additional air assets to Benin by the
Federal Government. “We are here to look at the infrastructure
available and also identify gaps”, he said. “The Hangar facility is
adequate. However, there will be need for aircraft shelters and
some Ground Support Equipment in order to make the deployment
possible”, he added. He further noted that many additional pilots,
engineers and technicians, who, he said, had already been nominated
for conversion training on the new aircraft, as well as force
protection elements, comprising NAF Special Forces personnel, would
also be deployed to Benin. He observed that additional office and
residential accommodation would therefore be required. “Like I
said, we have looked at all the infrastructure available, including
office and residential accommodation, and we know that there are
gaps. We will try to ensure that these gaps are bridged before the
special mission aircraft will be deployed here”, he added.Air Marshal Abubakar again commended the AOC TAC as well as the
Commander and all personnel of the 107 AMG for ensuring that the
ATR-42 aircraft remains serviceable to continue contributing its
quota to the NAF’s operations all over the Country. He urged them
to be prepared to provide the same kind of support to the special
mission aircraft when it arrives, noting that the aircraft would
undoubtedly add value to the security arrangements in Nigeria’s
Maritime environment.Before departing Benin, the CAS held a closed door interactive
session with the officers, airmen and airwomen where he entertained
questions and also received feedback as well as suggestions from
them on how to move the Service forward for more effective and
efficient service delivery.IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA Air Commodore Director of Public Relations and
Information Nigerian Air Force 29 August 2020