The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar has said that the ongoing challenges posed by Nigeria’s harsh economic realities, creasing inflation, and multi-dimensional poverty aggravating the security situation in the country.
He disclosed this Wednesday during his meeting with Branch Chiefs, Air Officers Commanding, Directors, Commandants and Commanders at NAF Headquarters, Abuja.
Abubakar in a statement issued Wednesday by the Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force, AVM Edward Gabkwet lamented that the upsurge in coup d’etat in the West African sub-region as well as the withdrawal of some nations from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) which have negative impacts on the collective regional security architecture.
He pointed out the withdrawals of UN troops from MINUSMA, 2000 Chadian troops from Mali as well as Niger Republic troops from the Multi-National Joint Task Force which have the tendency to aggravate the security challenges in the Sahel Region, causing the influx of more weapons and terrorists into Nigeria.
Abubakar noted that these security situations have necessitated the need for the NAF and other security agencies to be proactive and intensify efforts at meeting the federal government and Nigerian citizens’ expectations for an expeditious actualisation of a peaceful, safe and secure nation for prosperity to thrive.
The Air Chief stressed that despite these threats in the last 12 months, re-strategised and adopted new air power measures to enhance the gains against identified threats.
Abubakar added: “There is no gainsaying that the NAF must be proactive and intensify its efforts to meet the federal government and Nigerian citizens’ expectations for an expeditious actualisation of a peaceful, safe, and secure nation for prosperity to thrive.
“The ongoing challenges posed by Nigeria’s harsh economic realities, including high youth unemployment, increasing inflation, and multi-dimensional poverty. These have exacerbated the security situation, making it imperative for the NAF to continuously adapt and improve.”
