The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, Thursday, said the Nigerian Air Force would soon take delivery of two helicopter gunships to help in stamping out insurgency and other criminal activities that threaten the territorial integrity of the country.
Abubakar stated this at the 2020 budget defence exercise of the Force before the House of Representatives Committee on Air Force.
He noted that airpower was critical in resolving many conflicts, such as Boko Haram insurgency that has ravaged the north eastern part of Nigeria.
According to him, the Nigerian Air Force has recruited over 10,000 youths, among whom were graduates, to effectively combat crimes and criminality.
He said that the gunships acquired from Italy would be arriving the country before the end of the year.
Abubakar, who also thanked the House of Representatives Committee for the cordial relationship that had existed between the Air Force and the lawmakers, said: “Air power is very critical to resolve this conflict. We are happy that the committee has demonstrated the understanding of what the Air Force is doing.
“We have continued to provide support and engage criminal elements that are undermining the security of the country. We are about to acquire two helicopters from Italy. These two helicopters will be in Nigeria before the end of the year.”
He also hinted that some officers and men of the Air Force would soon travel to Pakistan for more training.
Earlier in his opening speech, Shehu Koko, chairman of the committee, had commended the Force for its resilience in the anti-terrorism war.
He, however, asked the Force to extend its air power to Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi states to arrest the security challenges in the area, promising the committee’s resolve to maintain the good relationship through budgetary provisions.
“I wish to seize this opportunity to commend the Chief of Air and, indeed, all the officers of the Nigerian Air Force for the good work they have done and are still doing to curtail the nagging security challenges in the country.
“It is significant yo note that since your leadership, the problem of insurgency and other security problems in the country have been drastically reduced through the fighting skills and airpower of the Nigerian Air Force.
“I would be delighted if you could equally extend the security apparatus and air power of the Nigerian Air Force to the old Sokoto State, which currently comprises Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara, in order to nip in the bud the perennial security challenges in this area by establishing a quick response wing in Kebbi State which has two international borders of Benin Republic and Niger Republic, to assist in curtailing increased security challenges in the area.
“We shall do all within our powers to sustain the good work by ensuring that adequate budgetary provision is given to this sector during this period of budget process.
“The Nigerian Air Force as a critical sector of our national security and development, has always maintained a cordial understanding with our committee in our bid to move this country forward,” he said.
The budget defence later progressed into a closed door session.
