By Linus Aleke
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, Wednesday, warned personnel of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to refrain from partisan politics, before, during and after the 2023 general elections.
He also, tasked Air Officers Commanding (AOCs), Commandants and unit Commanders to sensitize NAF personnel on the Code of Conduct for Armed Forces of Nigeria during elections.
Director Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Wap Maigida, in a statement, disclosed that the CAS gave this warning during a meeting with Branch Chiefs, Air Officers Commanding (AOCs), Commandants and unit Commanders, at Headquarters NAF, Abuja.
To ensure total compliance with his new directive, Air Marshal Amao said, the NAF will commence realistic pre-induction training in all its units for personnel that would be deployed for election support duties.
He also, charged NAF Commanders to synergize with other security agencies within their areas of responsibility to organize joint inter agency training in order to enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies in discharging their respective roles during the elections.
“NAF personnel are expected to work in synergy with other security agencies within their respective areas of responsibilities to ensure peaceful conduct of the forthcoming general elections”, the CAS reiterated.
He noted that part of NAF’s responsibilities of providing aid to civil authority, include assisting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the airlift of election materials to various parts of the country.
Air Marshal Amao also charged field commanders in various theatres of operation across the country to sustain the tempo of operations and onslaught against terrorists.
He said, the remarkable successes recorded so far against insurgency and terrorism was as a result of hard work, dedication and sacrifices of troops and their commanders.
The Air Chief concluded that going by recent happenings in the country, it has become imperative for personnel to avoid any actions or utterances that could tarnish the image of the Service.
