Air Force chief, senator mark Eid-el-Fitr with troops

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, chairman of the Senate Committee on the Nigerian Air Force, Senator Duro Faseyi, and other top NAF officers marked the Eid-el Fitr celebrations at the front-line to boost the morale of troops in the fight against insurgents in the Northeast.

According to a statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, the visit to the war fronts was in line with the tradition already established by the present leadership of the NAF in furtherance of the commitment towards professionalism.

AVM Adesanya also disclosed that during the visit, a multipurpose hall built by the NAF leadership in hounour of the late AVM Emmanuel Edem was commissioned by the Air Force Chief. Also present at the occasion was Mrs. Bernardette Edem, wife of the late senior NAF officer that was honoured.

“While commissioning the AVM EE Edem Hall, Senator Faseyi observed that the construction of the hall for use by the frontline troops was another significant achievement by NAF. He therefore praised the CAS and the rest of the NAF leadership for their unflinching commitment, which had resulted in the repositioning of the NAF for better service delivery.

“He also saluted the personnel for their bravery, which according to him, was responsible for the relative peace being enjoyed in Maiduguri and the overall corporate existence of Nigeria. He then stated that the nation truly appreciates their daily sacrifices and therefore urged them to remain committed in the interest of the nation.

“In his remarks, the CAS said he had come with other senior NAF officers to celebrate the Sallah with the personnel, in appreciation of their efforts towards ensuring that Nigerians are secured and are able to pursue their legitimate aspirations without any hindrance.

“On late AVM Edem, the CAS revealed that the late senior officer was a highly committed and detribalized individual, who was only interested in the values that personnel could add to the Service and not their tribes or religious inclination.

He recounted some deeds by the late officer, who he reported to be a man who exhibited integrity.

According to Air Marshal Abubakar, those were some of the reasons the late senior officer was being honoured by naming the new hall after him. He then encouraged all NAF personnel to emulate those unique values exhibited by late AVM Edem”.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army on Sunday said no fewer than 2,000 returnees celebrated Eid-el-Fitr at Gudumbali town in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno, for the first time in six years.

The town, which is 125km north of Maiduguri, the state capital, was deserted by locals in the area following incessant attacks by Boko Haram insurgents.

According to a statement issued by Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, Director Army Public Relations, the IDPs returned to their ancestral home following successes recorded in the ongoing Operation Last Hold. He said that more returnees were escorted back home by troops.

“Following the achievements recorded by the troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, the Nigerian Army consolidated the operations with clearance operation which is Sharan Gwona da Sharan Gida and dominance patrols.

The returnees, drawn from different IDP camps were assured of their safety and government’s assistance in rebuilding their homes and livelihoods.

“Building materials are already being stocked for distribution as efforts are intensified to clear and open up more communities in the nine Local Government Area Councils of Northern Borno,” Texas said.