By Aiyeku Timothy
The Chief of Air Staff, Sadique Baba Abubakar, has expressed confidence that Boko Haram insurgents can no longer attack the Force’s asset as they have done in the past.
The Air Chief stated this on Saturday while speaking at the combined graduation ceremony of 676 officers and men of the Air Force from five special forces training at the Regiment Training Centre in Kaduna.
Air Marshal Abubakar said that Boko Haram and other criminal elements no longer have the capacity to attack the Air Force base as they did in Maiduguri in 2013 because they have been seriously decimated by the young officers.
This, according to him, is because the Air Force now boast adequately trained men who are capable of protecting the Air Assets.
He added that the Air Force can only protect Nigeria if its assets are adequately protected.
His words, “We are focusing on the training of Special Forces elements because we cannot give what we don’t have. Today, our young officers and men are making it difficult for Boko Haram to operate freely because of the training they have received.
“Our special forces are doing an excellent job and the best way to know is with the performance of the regiment personnel deployed to the various conflict areas. Look at those protecting our bases.
“Our base in Maiduguri was attacked in December 2013, but today nobody will try that because we have all the skills and what it takes to defend our bases. That is one clear indication that the quality of training is good.
“Apart from that, in some of the conflict areas, the excess capabilities that we have, we have deployed them in support of internal security operations; in Operation Whirl Stroke in Benue, we have over 300 Special Forces elements, and that has helped to keep Benue State quiet. There was a time when coffins were just displayed every day, today, by the grace of God and the hard work of this team, including our own Special Forces, the place is generally quiet. We have them in Agatu, which was a battle zone. In Taraba State, we have another team, dealing with the internal security and keeping close eyes and working with the Army and other security agencies to ensure the ambazonian guys they might want to infiltrate our country are repelled.”
He continued by saying “Also in Zamfara State, we have over 300 Special Forces working hand in hand with other security agencies. They are making sure they clear the bandits that are making trouble there.
“In fact, with the results, we are getting, so many countries are now indicating interest in having their troops trained here as Special Forces. So, we are doing well and we are going to consolidate on that,” the Air Chief said.
