President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, said his administration would not relent until the security crisis and Boko Haram terrorism in parts of the country were permanently wiped out.
The President said that the Federal Government was working on “stabilization, reconstruction and resettlement phase of the overall efforts in the North-East,” urging for the support and understanding of Nigerians.
Buhari, whose speech was read by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, stated this in Abuja at the 55th Nigerian Air Force Day Celebration, adding that Nigerians must disregard political, religious and ethnic affiliations and wage the war against terror and insurgency.
He said, “As you may recall in my inaugural speech as President, I promised to put an end to the Boko Haram insurgency which hitherto had posed a grave threat to Nigeria’s territorial integrity as well as development in the North-East. In fulfilling this promise, training and the acquisition of new platforms and other support equipment for the armed forces were intensified.
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“The employment of the newly acquired platforms in addition to the Super Tucano aircraft which would be delivered in 2022 will add impetus to the combat efficiency of the Nigerian Air Force. Moving forward, I charge you to consolidate on the gains of air power towards sustaining the peace and stability we have attained so far.
“As part of our continued commitment to equip the armed forces, I will induct two NAF Agusta 109 power helicopters. I appreciate the roles played by the air force in the just concluded general elections. It went a long way in checkmating the activities of electoral saboteurs and other criminal elements.”
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said the NAF had increased the strength of service personnel by 7,500 airmen, airwomen and 400 officers.
“Additionally, two new commands and two staff branches were established to meet the evolving security challenges we are faced with,” he noted.
Yetunde Adegoke
