Nigerian Air Force Helicopter
President Muhammadu Buhari held a crucial security meeting with his
military chiefs and other heads of security agencies on Friday.
At the end of the meeting, an attendee told journalists that they
“critically looked at everything ” and “are satisfied with the progress”
being made to tackle the security challenges.
The Chief of Air Staff, Sadigue Abubakar, also told journalists at the
State House in Abuja that the air force had acquired two helicopter
gunships as part of the equipment to tackle the criminals including
armed bandits in the North West.
“Some of the equipment we are acquiring have started arriving. For the
Nigerian Air Force, two helicopter gunships have arrived on the 15th of
January and we are now in the process of putting them together which
will add to whatever we have,” he said.
Nigeria is battling with various forms of armed gangs and criminals
across the country. These include the Boko Haram terrorists in the
North-east, armed bandits in the North-west and armed kidnappers across
the country.
At least 30 people were killed a couple of days ago and about 100
kidnapped when armed bandits attacked an emir’s convoy in Kaduna.
Friday’s security meeting is the first in 2020, the air chief said.
Read the full briefing by the air chief below.
“You recall that we had a meeting on the 30th December 2019 and today we
held another one. The whole essence of the meeting is to critically
evaluate what the armed forces of Nigeria, as well as other security and
intelligence agencies, are doing with regard to ensuring that the
territorial integrity of Nigeria is not undermined by any individual or
group of individuals.
“We also looked at the emerging situations in some of our areas
particularly acts of banditry in some of the North Western states and
other parts of the country and we have critically looked at everything
and we are satisfied with the progress we are making, we are satisfied
with the support of the federal government is giving the armed forces
and other security agencies in terms of procurement of platforms.
Substantial number of these equipment are expected by the end of
February. Some of the equipment we are acquiring have started arriving.
For the Nigerian Air Force, two helicopter gunships have arrived on the
15th of January and we are now in the process of putting them together
which will add to whatever we have.
“We are equally expecting other equipment like I said that are meant for
the armed forces of Nigeria which we are hoping to get by the end of
February. I am sure you are also familiar with the equipment acquisition
by the Nigerian Police Force. I am sure you are also aware of the
policy on community policing that was approved by Mr. President and it
is going to be funded. The whole idea is to ensure that Nigeria is
secured and Nigerians can go about pursuing their legitimate aspirations
without any hindrance.
“I think basically that is what this meeting is all about and what we
want to do here is to reassure Nigerians that the armed forces of
Nigeria and indeed security and intelligence agencies in Nigeria are
going to continue to work round the clock to ensure that our country is
secured and to ensure that nobody undermines the territorial integrity
and national sovereignty of Nigeria.
“We are going to keep a very close watch on what is going on and with
the equipment that we are getting. Definitely, the challenges we are
facing in some of the theatres of operation particularly the North-east
will be addressed adequately.
“We are doing everything with the other sister countries in the Lake
Chad Basin working together to ensure that the Boko Haram terrorism is
brought substantially to an end as quickly as possible.
“I think our appeal is for all Nigerians and other stakeholders to join
hands with the armed forces of Nigeria and other security and
intelligence agencies to ensure that our country is secured rather than
looking at other methods that are likely going to negate the national
policy and community policing policy that the Federal Government has
approved.
“What we expect is for all stakeholders, local government, state
government, other stakeholders to join hands with us, let us work
together to ensure that our country is secured.”