The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, says the Nigerian military is winning the war against terrorism in all fronts due to availability of modern platforms and enhanced capabilities.
Amao said this on Thursday while on operational tour of 205 Combat Search and Rescue Group, Kerang Plateau State and 22 Quick Response Wing, Lafia in Nasarawa State.
This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet.
Amao said that the magnanimity of President Muhammadu Buhari in providing the NAF with new and modern platforms and its ability to effectively operationalise their usage in the battlefield had been instrumental to the level of successes been recorded against terrorists and insurgents.
He said there was no doubt that some of the new platforms in NAF’s Order of Battle, particularly the JF-17 Thunder aircraft, the A-29 Super Tucano aircraft and the Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have been one of the many reasons why, in his word, “we are winning the war against terrorism in the country”.
The CAS however said that more still needed to be done to completely decimate and flush out the remnants of terrorists still preying on soft targets.
He also warned that being complacent at this point would be harmful to ongoing operations and called for extra focus, vigilance and caution.
Amao also informed the personnel that the NAF was expecting the delivery of additional new platforms which the President has approved for the NAF.
“These platforms include 2 CASA-295 medium airlift aircraft, 2 Beechcraft King Air 360, 4 Diamond DA-62 surveillance aircraft, 3 Wing Loong II UCAVs and 6 T-129 ATAK helicopters.
“Other ongoing acquisitions include 2 Agusta 109 Trekker multi-role helicopters, 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters and 24 M-346 attack aircraft to boost NAF’s air power employment and projection capabilities as well as air combat training.
“A few of these additional platforms are expected to be delivered to the NAF before the end of First quarter 2023,” he said.
On the upcoming general elections, the CAS warned the personnel against engaging in any form of political activities, while exercising their constitutional right to vote for any candidate of their choice.
According to the CAS, “NAF personnel must continue to maintain their integrity and neutrality as a service.
“You must also remember that as custodians of Nigeria’s constitution, we must ensure that the public’ s perception of the NAF and the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains positive and unblemished,” he added.
The CAS was accompanied by some Branch Chiefs, the Air Officer Commanding Special Operations Command, and some Directors.