By Sule Aliyu, Bauchi
The Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Saddique Abubakar, has explained that the establishment of the Special Operations Command by the Nigerian Air force (NAF) equipped the air force to weaken the capabilities and threats of the Boko Haram insurgency.
Abubakar said the employment of Special Operations has effectively tackled the threats posed by, cattle rustling, farmer/herdsmen clashes, kidnapping, militancy and other crimes in the country.
He made the remark on during the week at the opening ceremony of a two-day NAF Special Operations Conference 2017 held at the NAF Base, Bauchi.
The Chief of Air Staff explained that the Special Operations has repositioned the Nigerian Air Force to effectively counter Boko Haram insurgency and other crimes that threatened the unity of the country.
He explained further that worldwide, the employment of the Special Forces by the Nigerian Air force offers a multiplier in military operations in general and unconventional warfare in particular.
.“The Nigerian Air force as a regional force cannot afford to be left behind in training and building capabilities necessary in keeping the Force steps ahead,” he said
He was confident that the Special Operations Command would bridge the gap between the NAF’s force projection and force capabilities.
“Moreover, the employment of the NAF’s Special Forces in synergy with its air operation and other sister services would further provide political leaders a wider gamut of military operations to effectively and efficiently contain current and emerging security challenges,” he said.
He said that the employment of special operations has been vital in sustaining the air operations in the ongoing COIN operations in the north east and a game changer in the fight against Boko Haram.
“The dwindling capabilities of the dislodged Boko Haram terrorists and the reduced ability to stage sustained and coordinated attacks is evidenced of the gains of the employment of special operations in synergy operations,” he added.
The Chief of Air staff said that the conference is not only timely, but expedient as “ it would afford NAF the opportunity to draw important lessons from battle field experiences and further improve and consolidate on how special forces could better be conducted to ensure the highest levels of operational effectiveness and efficiently.
Earlier in his welcome speech, the Air Officer Commanding Special Operations Command Air vice Marshal Ismail Kaita, said that the Special Operations Command has recorded immense achievements since its establishment a year ago.
He commended the Chef of Air Staff for his efforts at improving the human capacity development of personnel, professionalism and construction of state-of-the art facilities and infrastructure that have profound effect on the morale of NAF personnel and families.
Speaking on the theme for the conference, Employment of Nigerian Air Force Specialised Operations in Curbing Contemporary Security Challenges in Nigeria, Kaita opined that the methodology and tactics of confronting the threat of insecurity require the employment of Specialised Force to subdue such threats.
“Special forces are required to project force protection capabilities to conventional troops both at the theatre of operations and home bases. In this regards, there is need for both strategic and tactical commanders to be in tune with the concept of Special Operations,” he said.
Bauchi State Governor Mohammed Abubakar shortly before declaring the conference opened said that special operations had been crucial to the success in the war against insurgency and other crimes.
“As the Nigerian Armed Forces continue to fight insurgency in the north east and grapple with other forms of internal security challenges across the country, a seminar of this nature is quite apt because the sustainment for forces protection and force project capabilities,” he said.
Governor Abubakar who was represented by the Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Hon Shehu Kawuwa Damina, praised the commitment and sacrifice of troops in ensuring the unity of the country.
“The Nigerian Air force remains a major player in carrying out aerial bombardments leading to the destruction of Boko Haram fighters camps and dislodging them from their strongholds within Sambisa and adjoin caves,” he said
He therefore urged officers and men of the Nigeria Air force to always be highly professional in the discharge of their constitutional duties.
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