Chiemelie Ezeobi
Given the security challenges facing the nation in the North-east and the South-south region by the Boko Haram sect and Niger Delta militants respectively, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said on Tuesday that it has initiated strategies for movement of troops and weaponry to these theatres of operations.
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, made this disclosure at the 2016 Logistics Seminar organised by the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), NAF Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal Sani Ahmed, held in Lagos.
It was tagged ‘Repositioning NAF Logistics for efficient employment of air power in response to contemporary national security imperatives’.
Noting that they will sustain their air power in the North-east operations, Abubakar said although there are ongoing negotiations between the Federal Government and the Niger Delta militants, the military will not down arms in the region.
Speaking on the issue of logistics challenge facing the war against insurgency and militancy, he said it is only when the strategy is gotten right that they can effectively and efficiently deploy the air power necessary for addressing the issues facing Nigeria.
Citing the cost of aviation fuel as one of the major challenges facing sustaining aerial surveillance, reconnaissance and bombardment, he said NAF consumes an average of 1.9 million litres of aviation fuel monthly.
While pledging that no territory of the nation will remain under siege of any group Abubakar said, “To support air operations in the northeast, the NAF must put an excellent plan that will ensure availability of aviation fuel in the operational area, whether the product is locally available or not.
“The service consumed an average of 1.9 million litres of aviation fuel monthly. Our logisticians therefore must work assiduously to ensure the product is available for operation.”
