In fulfillment of its statutory role of providing Military Aid to Civil Authority (MACA), the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has commenced airlift missions to transport relief materials to victims of the recent flood disaster affecting Maiduguri and its surrounding communities.
Spokesman of the Air force, Group Captain Kabiru Ali noted that the materials were donated by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and are aimed at alleviating the suffering caused by the floods, which have disrupted daily life, destroyed properties, and displaced millions.
The airlift missions, which commenced on September 14, 2024, had the first batch of the relief items, comprising 300 bags of 50kg rice, successfully delivered to NAF Base Maiduguri via the NAF C-130 Hercules aircraft.
The Air Component Commander, Air Commodore UU Idris, received the materials and handed them over to the Commissioner for Inter-Governmental and Special Duties, Alhaji Tukur Ibrahim, who was accompanied by the Comptroller of the Nigerian Customs Service, MD Malah. Additionally, heavy-duty trucks provided by the NAF were used to transport the materials to the Borno State Government House for onward distribution.
Earlier on, the NAF had launched a medical outreach program to support flood victims, in addition to the feeding of over 2,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). This initiative includes the provision of medications, food, and water supplies to help mitigate the effects of the flood and address the urgent needs of the affected population.
The NAF’s airlift mission and medical outreach are part of a broader effort to support national disaster response initiatives and highlight the critical role of military assets in humanitarian crises. The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal HB Abubakar (DFS), has directed that these operations continue as needed, ensuring that both relief materials and medical aid reach all affected areas.
He said on the directive of the Chief of the Air Staff, the NAF will persistently collaborate with other security agencies to mobilize human and material resources for the support of flood victims. The operations will be sustained as long as necessary to ensure that relief effectively reaches those affected by the disaster.