CAS On Operational Visit To Gusau, Cautions Troops To Be Focused And Vigilant
Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) component of Operation Hadarin Daji have been charged to remain focused and vigilant as they make concerted efforts towards ridding the entire North West of bandits and other criminal elements.
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao stated this recently while on operational tour of Air Component under Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) in Zamfara State.
According to the CAS, the current onslaught against bandits and their activities has continued to yield the expected outcome hence the need to remain focused disciplined and extra- vigilant until the security situation improves. According to the CAS, ‘This is not the time for you to be complacent or assume that we have overcome the enemy. Rather times like this calls for utmost discipline, alertness and extra focus on the task ahead.’ Air Marshal Amao went on to commend them for their gallantry, dedication to duty and resolve towards ensuring that the fight against banditry in the North west is brought to a conclusive end.
Earlier, the Joint Task Force Commander of OPHD who also doubles as the General Officer Commanding 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General UU Bassey, briefed the CAS on ongoing operations in Zamfara State and the entire North Western area. He informed the CAS that the operations have continued to yield the requisite results with bandits hideouts being destroyed and decimated. Maj Gen Bassey also thanked the CAS for ensuring that the Air Component as well as the NAF Special Forces are well trained and equipped for deployment to operational areas in the Region. According to Maj Gen Bassey, the renewed vigour exhibited by both Air and ground troops will no doubt be instrumental towards bringing the security situation in Zamfara State and environs to an end.
The CAS also took time to visit wounded airmen at the Federal Medical Centre and 207 Quick Response Group, Gusau where he assured them of NAF’s commitment towards their medical attention and complete recovery.
It is important to note that the NAF Special Forces as well as its air element have continued to be key enablers and deciders in the fight against banditry in the North West. Indeed, in the last 2 months, several bandits have been neutralised through coordinated efforts between the air component, NAF Special Forces and other security elements in the theatre of operations. The joint operations, which is in its critical moments, has so far seen to the dislodging of key bandits’ leaders and their followers as well as the destruction of their strongholds.
In a related development, The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao has charged personnel of the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) to sustain the current onslaught against terrorists and insurgents in the North East.
He gave the charge while on an operational visit to frontline troops of 105 Composite Group, Maiduguri and 103 Strike Group, Yola. The visits which served as morale booster to personnel of the Air Component afforded the CAS the opportunity to interact with them with a view to addressing some of their immediate operational challenges.
On arrival in Maiduguri, Air Marshal Amao was briefed by the Air Component Commander, OPHK, Air Commodore Nnamdi Ananaba, who gave a summary of the major achievements recorded by the Air Component towards degrading the capabilities of insurgents in Borno State, especially in the last 30 days. The CAS thereafter commended the troops for their commitment to the current onslaught against insurgents in the North east, while urging them to sustain and maintain the momentum. According to him, ‘The outcome of our air operations have been very encouraging and positive and we must sustain these efforts to remain on course towards meeting our overall end state of ridding the Region of these criminals.’ He went on to charge the troops to remain focused and committed towards their operational objective. ‘Absolute commitment, discipline and dedication is required at this point in time for us to get the job done’, he said. The CAS also expressed optimism that the security threats confronting the country would soon be a thing of the past as the NAF, in synergy with other sister Services is working assiduously to flush out all criminal elements so as to enable all Nigerians go about their daily lives and businesses without fear. He went on to state that in view of the centrality of air power in joint operations, the NAF would continue to provide the much-needed air support for the surface forces in all theatres of operation in the country.
While at Yola, Air Marshal Amao expressed appreciation to the personnel for their commitment and dedication to duty and charged them to continue to synergize their efforts with other security agencies within their location. He also assured them that the entire Nation remains grateful for their sacrifice and commitment towards keeping Nigeria safe. During the interactive session, several issues pertaining to welfare, promotion and discipline, among others were addressed by the CAS on the spot.
The CAS was accompanied on the visit by some Branch Chiefs from Headquarters NAF and Air Officers Commanding Tactical Air Command and Air Training Command.
