CAS orders troops to eliminate criminal elements and restore peace

On Sunday in Kaduna, the representative of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Officer Commanding Air Training Command, AVM Nnamdi Ananaba, presented a plaque to Guest of Honour and General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, during the Christmas Lunch for troops of Operation Whirl Punch and Operation Bada Mamaki.
Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), has charged troops with Operation Whirl Punch and Operation Bada Mamaki to eliminate all criminal elements and restore peace in the country.

On Sunday in Kaduna, Amao gave the charge at the CAS Christmas Lunch with Air Component frontline troops from Operation Whirl Punch and Operation Bada Mamaki, which was held at the NAF 401 Flying Training School.

According to Track News, frontline troops from Operations Bada Mamaki and Whirl Punch are fighting bandits in Kaduna, Niger, Kogi, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

AVM Nnamdi Ananaba, Air Officer Commanding Air Training Command, represented the CAS.

“We must maintain the tempo of our operations and fight gallantly until all insurgents, bandits, and other criminal elements are completely eliminated, and peace is restored to all troubled areas of our dear country,” Amao said.

“We must continue to operate synergistically with our sister services and other security agencies whilst leveraging each other’s capabilities to secure the nation. This is our professional obligation.”

According to Amao, the Christmas launch was an opportunity to not only bond with frontline troops but also promote service comradeship.

“It affords us the opportunity to spend time with you, knowing that you should ordinarily be spending this period with your loved ones, but have sacrificed the time to remain in the theatre to ensure that our country remains secure.

“The security threats currently facing our dear nation and the challenges they present to the attainment of our national developmental goals require the emplacement of a robust security architecture, which of course will include the ability to rapidly employ airpower within the full spectrum of warfare.

“To deal with these security threats, the paradigm shift in the way air warfare is waged necessitates a highly versatile air force capable of executing a wide range of airpower roles across multiple theaters of operation,” he said.

The CAS expressed his gratitude that the NAF, in collaboration with sister services and other security agencies, has continued to confront threats courageously while achieving tangible results in the various theaters.

“I must say that I am proud of the efforts of all our officers, airmen and airwomen participating in internal security operations in different parts of the country.

“My pride stems from the positive reports of your valiant exploits and successes that are reaching my desk,” he told the troops.

According to Amao, the NAF, particularly through the air component Operation Whirl Punch, has continued to play critical roles in providing much-needed air support for the smooth conduct of ground operations by the Land Component in the North Central theatre.

According to him, air support has been extremely useful in limiting the activities of terrorists and other enemies of the state, denying them freedom of action and providing relief to Nigerians who have been victims of these criminals’ excesses.

He commends all members of the operation for their dedication and contributions to restoring peace and stability to all parts of the North Central.

” Please do not waver in your commitment and hard work to restoring peace to our land.

“I assure you that your efforts and sacrifices in this regard, both individually and collectively, are highly appreciated by the nation.

“Let me also reassure you that Headquarters Nigerian Air Force will continue to provide your requirements for the successful execution of the war,” Amao said.

The Air Chief thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his continued support of the Nigerian Armed Forces in general, and the NAF in particular, in achieving their desired airpower goals.

In his speech, the guest of honor, Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army, praised the NAF leadership for putting a high value on boosting the morale of those on the frontlines.

Lagbaja stated that the lunch would increase the strength and agility of NAF personnel in performing their assigned tasks optimally.

“It is imperative to use this occasion to extend sincere appreciation to personnel of the NAF for assiduously working in synergy with other security and law enforcement agencies in securing the entire areas of operation.

He praised the Nigerian Air Force members’ resilience and patriotism in the face of contemporary security challenges.

“The Nigerian Army’s and the NAF’s, and indeed the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s, long-standing harmonious relationship.”

a have been a driving force in our collective effort to return our state to its original Center of Learning. as well as the peace it is known for.

“We look forward to a more robust and fruitful engagements between all the security agencies and the leadership of the NAF here in Kaduna.

“I would like to assure you of our unwavering support and partnership in improving the security situation in the state,” Lagbaja said.