Boko Haram: No victory for insurgents – NAF chief

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar has debunked claims that Nigerian soldiers fled Boko Haram terrorists repelled attack in Borno State.
BBC Africa had reported that Nigerian soldiers fled the fierce attack from the terrorists who carried sophisticated weapons on Monday.
But Abubakar, who was in Lagos to inaugurate five projects completed by the Logistics Command including the installation of executive seats on the C-130 aircraft, insisted that the military has made substantial progress in the war.

This is just as he disclosed that the AirForce was to take delivery of more platforms acquired following government’s approval.
The AirForce Chief stated that the military was at the tail end of the operation in the northeast, adding that the insurgents can no longer move freely the way they used to in 2014 and early last year.
He said: “Compare the situation in 2014 or the beginning of 2015 and today. You will agree with me that there is a world of difference.
“Then, Boko Haram was moving in convoys of 15 to 20 vehicles from one community to the other. Such a thing is not happening again today.
“I really do not want to comment on what happened on Monday because I don’t have details. But generally, I can tell you that we are making substantial progress in dealing with this problem. We are at the tail end of the northeast operations.”
Abubakar also explained that the night training which commenced in Lagos on Monday night was a routine exercise.
“Training is a continuous process for every AirForce. From time to time, we have programmes we undertake to ensure our officers and men are in the best of shapes to be able to deal with security challenges. It is just a routine training,” he said.
Commending the Logistics Command for doing an excellent job, Abubakar said he was in Lagos to access infrastructure and ensure things were going well.
“Lagos is logistics base of the Air Force. No matter how excellent an operational plan is, if it is not backed by logistics, you will run into difficulties. Came to access situation on ground and infrastructure and ensure things are going well. I am happy with what am seeing in the units. Logistics Command is doing an excellent job,” said Abubakar.
While inaugurating the drainage and primary school classrooms at the 105 Communication Depot in Shasha, Abubakar said flood has always been a recurring decimal and a major problem confronting the base since its establishment.
“When it rains, especially at the peak of the rainy seasons, the roads within the depot are impassible. We also lost our fence severally in the past as a result of flood.
“I have been informed that control of flood is also a problem in the neighbouring Oba Ketu Community, which has led to avoidable loss of life and property. This is why we embarked on this project, to extend the drainage from outside our fence to the point where the flood will flow harmlessly into the central carnal.
Earlier,  the Air Officer Commanding  (AOC) Air Vice Marshal Muhammadu Mohammed noted that the projects would motivate the personnel to continuously put in their best for the attainment of the Force’ objectives.
“For Instance, the avionics overhaul centre is expected to reinforce our culture of self – reliance and prudent management of resources in conformity with one of the key drivers of the CAS’ vision.
“During the installation of the test benches of the Overhaul Centre, some of the C-130H aircraft rotables were repaired. They include Altitude Direction Indicator,  Autopilot Amplifier and ATC Transponder. This is a clear indication that the dividend derivable from the project is enormous,” he said.
Also inaugurated were the rehabilitated water system and reconstructed 70 septic tanks at the Sam Ethnam Base, as well as re-roofing of vehicle shades and reactivation of Jet-A1 tankers at 407 Equipment Supply Depot.
#Alabingo with agency reports