By Linus Aleke
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao has ordered Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Commanders, Heads of Operational Units and personnel engaged in ongoing joint operations to go after those against Nigeria’s peace and progress while ensuring that there is no hiding place for all terrorists, insurgents and other criminal elements.

He also tasked them to continually ensure the provision of Close Air Support to Nigerian Army troops and other security agencies while sustaining the momentum until all terrorists are smoked out and neutralized.

Air Marshal Amao gave this charge while meeting with Branch Heads, Air Officers Commanding and other senior officers at NAF Headquarters in Abuja.

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Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet in a statement said the meeting took stock of efforts and gains made so far in NAF’s counterterrorism and counterinsurgency efforts and recommended the need for increased and sustained firepower to completely decimate the capabilities of all armed groups in the country.

Air Marshal Amao used the opportunity to express his satisfaction with the progress made so far, especially in eliminating key terrorists in the Northeast and Northwest as well as destroying their hideouts.

He equally vowed to meet the operational requirements of all NAF units involved in joint operations so as to minimize threats posed by terrorists, insurgents and other criminals.

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“We mustn’t relent until peace is restored to all affected areas. The immense efforts have been made in the areas of purposeful training and capacity building as well as enhancement of welfare for both serving and retired personnel, particularly in the provision of medical and healthcare services,” he said.

While commending all NAF personnel for their dedication, the CAS urged them to remain apolitical especially now that political activities are gaining steam.

The Air Chief tasked the personnel to ensure that they fulfil NAF’s constitutional role of Aid to Civil Authority should the NAF be called upon to assist in the airlift of election materials to various parts of Nigeria.

He concluded that the one-day engagement also took note of the challenges facing operational units and measures to ameliorate their effects on ongoing operations.