News
Insecurity: Air Force Seeks World’s Assistance
The Nigerian Air Force has called on the international community not to leave the war against insecurity to the Nigerian military alone.
This was as it charged Airbus Africa & Middle East to improve its maintenance and logistical support to it in the areas of training and prompt provision of spares in order to better serve its efforts at dealing with the security challenges confronting the nation.
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said this, yesterday, while hosting the President, Airbus Africa & Middle East, Mr Mikail Houari and other executives of the company on a courtesy visit at the NAF Headquarters, Abuja.
Abubakar, according to a statement by Air Force spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said the “nature of the threats confronting Nigeria required strategic partnerships at governmental and non-governmental levels, not just within Africa but also in Europe and other parts of the world.
“He urged Airbus Africa & Middle East to improve its maintenance and logistical support to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in the areas of training and prompt provision of spares in order to better serve the NAF in its efforts at dealing with the security challenges confronting the nation,” the statement said.
It read further: “Speaking further, the CAS highlighted that the nature of the threats confronting Nigeria required strategic partnerships at governmental and non-governmental levels, not just within Africa but also in Europe and other parts of the world.
“The CAS observed that, by virtue its human and natural resource endowment as well as its geo-strategic location, Nigeria deserves the support of all its partners and friends to deal with the security challenges facing it.
“He noted that the NAF, in synergy with sister services and other security agencies, has continued to work assiduously to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians.
“He further said NAF personnel were wholeheartedly committed, highly motivated, willing, able and ready to deal with the terrorists and other criminal elements to ensure a secured Nigeria.
“He noted, however, that this would require the support of friends and partners, through the provision of robust technical support and training for more effective and efficient employment of Air Power.”
Abubakar stressed that Airbus Africa and other companies could play their part, in this regard, by ensuring shortened delivery times while also providing more comprehensive after sales services.
In his response, the President, Airbus Africa & Middle East, Mr Mikail Houari, commended the NAF for its immense contributions as well as the sacrifices made by its personnel in the fight against insurgency and other forms of criminality in the country.
He noted that Airbus Africa was extremely proud of being a part of the NAF’s contributions to national security over the years.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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