The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has vowed that the Nigeran Air Force will end Boko Haram insurgency this year.
Abubakar made the promise in Maiduguri on Saturday while addressing troops of the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole, saddled with the task of defeating insurgents in the North East.
The Air Chief maintained that the Nigerian Air Force must ensure that the territorial integrity of Nigeria is not undermined by any individual or group, adding that the Task Force has made remarkable progress in its mission.
He said, “We must, therefore, keep working hard and I am very sure at least, before the end of this year or latest by the end of this year, we will be rounding up this operation. So work towards that and rest assured that the Nigerian Air Force will continue to support you.
“I have been adequately briefed by the Commander and I have also been monitoring what you have been doing in the last few months, starting with “Operation Long Reach I” and “Operation Long Reach II”. I want to say that we are satisfied, we are very excited that you are making substantial progress in ensuring that the Boko Haram terrorists are eliminated in the Northeast so that our people can go back to their farms and live their normal lives.
“I urge you to continue to ensure that everything is being done to ensure that Northeast and Nigeria are secured. On our part at the Air Force headquarters, I want to assure you that we will continue to support your operations, not only in terms of training you require, the equipment you require, but all the welfare requirements that you need in order to make you effective in your assigned task.”
He revealed that the Nigerian Air Force has received excellent support from the Federal Government more than ever with more than 22 aircraft procured and delivery of 16 more currently awaited.