The Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar has said the withdrawal of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission Force and the 2000 Chadian troops from Mali, and the Republic of Niger troops from the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), is a security threat to Nigeria and the Sahel Region.
He noted that the upsurge in coup d’etat in the West African sub-region and the withdrawal of some nations from ECOWAS have negative impacts on the security architecture of the region. The CAS said these security situations had increased the influx of more weapons and terrorists into Nigeria.
Air Marshal Abubakar dropped the hints yesterday during his meeting with Branch Chiefs, Air Officers Commanding, Directors, Commandants and Commanders at NAF Headquarters in Abuja. The meeting aimed at revisiting NAF’s set objectives in line with the CAS command philosophy and key enablers, discussing performance and achievements and identifying challenges to be addressed.
A statement by the NAF’s spokesperson, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, quoted the CAS as saying that “these security situations had necessitated the need for the NAF and other security agencies to be proactive and intensify efforts at meeting the Federal Government and Nigerian citizens’ expectations for an expeditious actualization of a peaceful, safe and secure nation for prosperity to thrive.”
