Insecurity: CDS Attributes Rescue of NAF fighter pilot To engagement with security Stakeholders.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor says the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) is constantly reviewing its techniques, tactics and procedures as well as operational doctrines to be in tandem with the requirements for the containment of security threats in the country.
General Irabor who stated this at the second edition of security parley, tagged “Chief of Defence Staff Interaction with Retired Senior Military Officers in Northwest Geopolitical Zone,” held at the 1 Division, Nigerian Army Officers’ Mess in Kaduna on Monday, 19 July 2021 said is targeted at looking for ways to explore the knowledge and experiences of the retired military officers to address security challenges confronting the nation.
A signed statement by Deputy Director Information, Air Commodore Wap Maigida made available to Channel Network Afrique, the CDS pointed out that the retirees as part of members of the Armed Forces and security agencies must play critical roles in national security as relevant stakeholders.
He also added that the full spectrum of issues are better understood by the retired senior officers, due to their experiences in the service and interaction with civilian populace.
Gen Irabor however appealed to the senior citizens to show the same level of commitment and patriotic zeal which they exhibited while in military service and to be in-depth as well as forthright during the interactive session.
He further attributed the rescue and safe return of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter pilot that was involved in an air crash on Sunday, 18 July 2021 after embarking on a successful air interdiction mission against banditry between Zamfara and Kaduna states boundaries to the ongoing CDS Interactive session with retired senior military officers across the country.
In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Civil Military Cooperation (CDCMIC), Rear Admiral Fredrick Ogu who lamented that the Northwest is becoming a safe haven for terrorist groups, highlighted the current security challenges in the region to include attacks on local communities, kidnapping, abductions, banditry and sundry crimes.
Rear Admiral Ogu added that the informed recommendations by the participants would further aid the AFN in tackling the array of security issues in their domains.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division Nigerian Army, Kaduna, represented by Commander 51 Signals Brigade, Brigadier General Adeleke Ayanuga who said that the recent months have been challenging for the AFN and security agencies vested with the responsibility of defence and security of the nation noted that the AFN in conjunction with other security agencies have been able to confront the prevailing security threats in Kaduna and Niger states.
Before proceeding for the security parley, the CDS, Gen Irabor in company of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao met with the NAF Alpha jet pilot,
Flight Lieutenant Abayomi Dairo in who survived the air crash on Sunday.
The service chiefs commended the fighter pilot for his gallantry and bravery which he demonstrated in the fight against banditry and urged NAF pilots to remain steadfast in the task of national security.
