Nigeria Air Force to update tactics to tame Boko Haram

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

 The Nigerian Armed Forces, particularly the Nigerian Air Force, is doing everything possible including updating its tactics in order to bring

to an end the activities of insurgents in the country, particularly those of the Boko Haram sect.

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS) of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Air Marshal Adeshola Amosu disclosed this in Kaduna, yesterday.

Air Marshal Amosu, who was speaking shortly after the 43rd graduation ceremony of students from the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT),

Kaduna, expressed satisfaction with the level of achievements of the

Nigerian Air Force in tackling security challenges in the country, adding that effort is also being intensified to completely eradicate all forms of insurgency in the country.

He stressed that any institution that is unable to train and continuously train manpower is doomed, while expressing happiness with the training of the graduates, as part of the NAF’s contribution that will help address the national security challenges, adding that training affords the opportunity to blend the human with the machine.

“What we are asking for now is the AFIT Bill before the National Assembly, when passed; it will help us to develop more technologies that will further help in the fight against insurgency in the country.”

Speaking earlier, the special guest of honour, the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator David Mark represented by the Senate Committee Chairman on Air Force, Senator Kabiru Marafa commended the giant strides of the AFIT, stressing that he is aware that the institute is willing and able to surpass its current achievements, given the needed resources and legal backing.

Towards this end, the Senate President assured the Nigerian Air Force that the issue of resources and legal backing under the pending AFIT Bill at the National Assembly is being given utmost attention.

Also in his opening speech, the AFIT Commandant, Air vice Marshal Toni Amu Adokwu further stressed the importance of the AFIT Bill, adding that, “the various feats achieved by the institute brought to fore the need for increased funding which engendered the need for financial autonomy. Accordingly, a draft bill seeking the formal recognition of the institute is before the National Assembly.”

According to the commandant, “the AFIT Establishment Act, when signed, will not only open the institute to greater funding, but also higher academic activities, both locally and internationally.”

He said there are plans to secure accreditation for Aerospace Engineering from COREN and HND in manufacturing Engineering from NBTE, which will be mounted in a new department.

260 students graduated in 17 courses and were awarded various classes of certificates to include National diploma, Post-graduate Diploma and Masters in various fields among others.