- SPYETV.COM.NG - A La Une - 19/06/2024 17:56

Chief of Air Staff's Vision Yields Results: NAF Achieves Modest yet Significant Progress in One Year

In a bid to enhance gains against internal and external threats of terrorism, insurgency, banditry and other criminal activities in the past 12 months, the Nigerian Air Force has re-strategized and adopted new air power measures in line with the command philosophy of the Chief of the Air Staff which has made the NAF, achieved modest yet significant progress in fighting insurgency, terrorism, banditry, oil theft and other criminal activities in the country. CAS, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar said this today, 19th June 2024 at a meeting with Branch Chiefs, Air Officers Commanding and Directors as well as the entire senior leadership cadre of the Nigerian Air Force in Abuja. The purpose of the meeting according to the Chief of Air Staff is to look back at NAF set objectives in line with his Command philosophy and key enablers, discuss their performance and achievements as well as the militating challenges. "This meeting will also allow us to directly interact and exchange ideas towards achieving more in the coming year, going forward." he stressed. The Air Chief therefore pointed out that at the beginning of his administration he reiterated that the Nigerian Air Force alongside sister services remained committed to reinvigorating fight against terrorism, insurgency, banditry and other security threats facing our dear Nation.  He said threats from external factor, like the Russian-Ukraine war created a significant economic disruption that negatively affected world food prices and led to higher costs for living, especially in vulnerable of the Mi-series helicopters that are crucial in our counter-terrorism/counter-insurgency. Furthermore, examining the Hamas attacks against Israel on 7 Oct 23 and the sporadicppp attacks by the Houthi rebels on sx80hipping lines through the Red Sea show the devastating impact of non-state actors' access to emerging technologies such as autonomous drones, satellite communications and Artificial intelligence. We should thus be concerned that the actions of these non-state actors would be copied and replicated by other insurgents and terrorists in Nigeria.  He said there is also the impact of great power competition. The  USA, China and Russia, have been actively involved in Africa seeking to expand their spheres of influence and secure strategic interests. Looking at the security impacts, Russia has expanded its influence beyond its near abroad through military interventions and the deployment of private military contractors in the Central African Republic, Libya, Burkina Faso, Mali and recently Niger. "As Nigeria faces security challenges, the USA has provided support for the acquisition of aircraft and associated munitions for counterterrorism operations. Likewise, the Nigerian Air Force has acquired aircraft and munitions from China and Russia and continues to engage in military cooperation. Consequently, balancing these relationships is crucial for Nigeria's security interests."Looking at the West African sub-region, the upsurge in coup detat and the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have negative impacts on our collective regional security architecture. Citing the failure of ECOWAS to address jihadist violence in their countries, the military junta have turned to Russia for security assistance."he saidHe added that, the withdrawals of UN troops from MINUSMA, 2000 Chadian troops from Mali as well as Niger Republic troops from the Multi-National Joint Task Force could aggravate the security challenges in the Sahel Region, causing the influx of more weapons and terrorists into Nigeria. The CAS stressed that all these threats have global and regional perspectives and attendant impacts on Nigeria's the  national security. Hence the implications of the broader strategic external security outlook must never be overlooked. www.twitter.com/spyetv