The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, says the intensity of air operations in concert with surface forces has reversed the escalation in criminal activities across the country.
Amao stated this at the annual Beating of the Retreat and Awards ceremony in honour of 69 Regular Course cadets of Nigerian Defence Academy, on Friday in Kaduna.
“You are all aware that the Armed Forces of Nigeria has been tackling several security challenges across the country.
“The Nigerian Air Force, for instance, has had to increase the intensity of its air operations, in concert with the surface forces, in order to reverse the recent escalation in the activities of these criminals and enemies of the Nigerian nation.
“These efforts have borne significant fruits as attested to by the recent successes recorded by both the air and ground forces.
“Therefore, with the continued support from the Federal Government, we intend to sustain and even increase the intensity further until we completely rid our country of all the vestiges of these criminals,” Amao said.
He told the graduating cadets that the knowledge and skills they acquired would be put to test immediately after their commissioning into the military.
Amao, therefore, warned them against complacency in the course of their career, adding that they must be good ambassadors of the Academy.
On the awards, he said it was to encourage and motivate them to redouble their efforts in order to be at the top of their career.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Amao appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his immense support to the Nigerian Air Force.
Earlier, the NDA Commandant, Major General Ibrahim Yusuf, explained that beating of the retreat signified the successful end of a training year.
He expressed delight that during the 2021/2022 training year, no casualty was recorded, stressing that cadets who sustained injuries are currently receiving the best medical care.
Yusuf commended the Chief of Defence Staff and other Service Chiefs for their support to the Academy.
