Nigeria Chief Of Air Staff Admits There Are Challenges In Ending Boko Haram

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar has admitted that there would be challenges in bringing Boko Haram insurgents to an end by December this year, as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“There are challenges, no doubt, but God willing, we will meet the expectations of the people and the deadline given by the Commander-in-Chief as the government is giving us necessary supports and encouragement.”
The Chief of Air Staff spoke today when he received in audience, officials of the Centre for Crisis Communication.
He said that the Air Force had, between July and October, conducted a total of 1,448 air sorties in support of the the fight against Boko Haram in the North East.
He said that the service also deployed over 300 ground troops from its special forces to fight along with the Army in the field.
Abubakar said that the Air Force is doing everything possible to see how peace can be restored in the troubled areas as soon as possible, saying that the air component is fully integrated in the counter insurgency operation plans.
He said that NAF is using different aircrafts in its arsenal including F-7NI, Alpha Jet, C-130 AC, Augusta 109 LUH, Mi-35,  Mi-24, Mi-17, Supa Puma Helicopters, among others to carry out logistics support, reconnaissance and combat operations.
“Where ever the army is going in the battle field, we give them the air support, provide intelligence and clear the ground for them to operate optimally.”
Air Marshal Abubakar expressed his appreciation to the Centre for Crisis Communication for the important job they are doing in trying to streamline and harmonize crisis information in the country for effectiveness, noting that information management is critical to success or otherwise of military operations, especially the counter insurgency operation embarked upon by the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“If you manage information well, you kill the morale of the enemies,” he said, adding that NAF has embarked on a number of quick impact projects in the North East aimed at winning the hearts and minds of the people.
Such, he said, including providing medical facilities, clinics, medical laboratories, medical wards and drugs.
He said that NAF has sunk boreholes, provided 50,000 litres overhead tanks, constructed toilet facilities and shelters for internally displaced persons in the north east.
The CCC team was led by its Executive Director, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (rtd).
The team paid Abubakar a courtesy visit in his office. [myad]