Boko Haram: We acknowledge some setbacks – CAS

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), has acknowledged a few setbacks in the ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the North East, in recent times.

The CAS has, however, urged officers and men not to be discouraged, even as he charged them on the urgent need to take full advantage of the new platforms acquired,and others that have been reactivated.

The Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, said the Air Chief spoke during an operational visit to the NAF’s troops in the North East.

Adesanya said: “The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has continued his visit to Nigerian Air Force (NAF) operational units in the Northeast after taking a short break to participate in the just concluded NAF Annual 10-kilometre Walk/Jog Competition for NAF personnel in Abuja.

“Earlier in the day at Maiduguri, the Air Component Commander of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Air Commodore Tajudeen Yusuf, briefed the CAS on the more recent activities of the Air Component.

“In particular, the CAS sought to know if there were any emerging challenges and also requested for the projections of the Air Component in the continuing attempts at routing the remnants of the Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT).”

The DOPRI added that: “During the discussion sessions, the CAS commended the efforts of the NAF personnel and conveyed the appreciation of the Service for their continuous selfless efforts, which had contributed to a remarkable improvement in the nation’s security. “He (Abubakar) added that substantial progress had been made in limiting the activities of the BHTs, who remain in disarray and had thus resorted to suicide bombing and kidnappings.

“He, however, acknowledged that there had been a few setbacks in recent times and that much more progress could still be made.

“Air Marshal Abubakar therefore told the personnel to redouble their efforts at ensuring the country was more secured, especially in the light of the enormous taxpayers’ resources being expended to acquire new platforms and reactivate grounded ones as well as provide for the welfare and training needs of personnel.”