By Linus Aleke
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has said that military operations alone cannot win the ongoing war against insurgency and terrorism in the country.
The Director, Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said this while appearing as a guest at the Programme, “Security Watch Africa,” aired by African Independent Television (AIT).
He noted that the military can barely take care of 30 percent of the problems.
This presupposes that 70 percent or more of the solutions to the plague of terrorism in Nigeria is outside the purview of the military.
Air Commodore Gabkwet, said the military is up to the task, and are working heard to deliver on its mandate.
According to him, “But the honest truth is this, can the military end the war against terrorism and insurgency, absolutely no. The military can barely take care of 30 percent of the problems. But what are the underlining things there? Whose responsibility is it to address these issues? I think that is where Nigerians should concentrate now and not the military. But as far as the military is concerned, we are up to the task, and we are working heard to deliver on our mandate”.
Asked whether the newly acquired A-29 Super Tucano, by Federal Government, which is supposed to change the narrative of the war are mere modern military munitions that add colour to the Service’s Amory, the NAF Spokesperson, said the Super Tucano platforms have been one of the Service’s best bites.
“I can tell you that the A-29 Super Tucano have been one of our best bites, and they have been performing well, out there in the field. In fact, daily, in the northeast, northwest, south south and all over this country, A-29 Super Tucano are there. And of course, Tucano are not the only aircraft that we have. All the platforms that we have are working day and night. You saw the strike in the South South against oil thieves and economic saboteurs.
“You heard about the strikes in Jibia LGAs of Katsina State, that took out about 22 terrorists. And about two or three weeks ago you saw the precision strikes against over 200 terrorist at the Mandara Mountains. I mean, the videos are out there for people to see. So, these are not flukes and these are signs that the military is denying criminal elements freedom of action”.
