The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has stated that there is no better way to pay tribute to members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria who have paid the supreme price in the defence of Nigeria than to sustain the joint air, ground and maritime strikes against terrorists, insurgents, economic saboteurs and other non-state actors in the country. The CAS stated this while commending the Air Component Commanders of the various joint theatres of operation in the country for the series of successful air strikes undertaken since the beginning of year 2024, just as the nation prepares to celebrate the 2024 Armed Forces Remebrance Day.
According to spokesman of the Airforce, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, “Indeed, as recent as yesterday, 13 January 2024, air interdiction strikes by the air component of Operation Hadin Kai at Tumbunma Baba near Lake Chad, proved successful as several terrorists were eliminated and their vehicles and structures destroyed.
“Speaking further, Air Marshal Abubakar noted that while the entire nation can never repay the fallen heroes, efforts at restoring peace and tranquillity in all parts of the country must be sustained to return the country to its peaceful past which was made possible by the dedication and commitment of the fallen heroes.” According to him, “We have no excuse not to deliver on our mandate as the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government has provided the wherewithal for us to succeed. We must, therefore, continue to sustain the momentum of our operations and give our citizens the confidence they require to go about their businesses without fear.”
The CAS also called on all Nigerians to continue to offer gratitude, goodwill, solidarity and unrelenting prayers to the fallen heroes and their families.
In doing so, according to the CAS, the entire nation will not only be according these great patriots the honour and credit they truly deserve but also reassuring those still in service that the country would never forget their sacrifices nor forsake them in their own hours of needs.