The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, has emphasised the need by various security agencies in the country to work in unity.
According to him, the security challenges bedevilling the nation require closing the gap between the military and other agencies.
Amao stated this during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the NAF and the Nigeria Customs Service.
A statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, on Thursday.
The Chief of the Air Staff was represented by the Director of Operations, Headquarters NAF, Air Vice Marshal Nnamdi Ananaba.
It read, “The NAF will continue to encourage partnership with other security agencies as well as provide aircraft maintenance support so as to enhance the fight against all forms of insecurity in the country.”
He added that the NAF partnership with the NCS was a clear indication of the need for synergy and inter-agency cooperation, particularly between military and para-military organizations
“Security challenges in the country calls for the need to bridge the gap and divide that disconnects the military and other government agencies in order to work towards achieving a common goal.”
On the MOU, he said it would enhance efficiency in the areas of port and border patrols to curtail activities of smuggling syndicates across the country.
According to him, the NAF is expected to make available on request two of its pilots to assist with operation of NCS Bell-427 helicopters and also complement the manpower of NCS Air-Wing.
The Comptroller General of NCS, Colonel Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd), in his remarks, noted that the partnership with the NAF will no doubt improve NCS’ air operations and anti-smuggling efforts particularly as it intensifies efforts in checkmating small arms proliferation across the country.
He also called on the NAF and other Services to consider partnering with the NCS in the areas of capacity building and purposeful manpower development to improve the output of NCS personnel.
Ali requested the assistance of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the training of NCS personnel in para-trooping and other related fields.
This, according to him, became necessary in view of inaccessible areas used as smuggling routes which are mostly unmotorable and difficult to navigate, hence the need for the NCS to begin to consider inserting its troops in these locations via para-dropping.
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