President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday joined the Service Chiefs in celebrating the 57th Independence Day Anniversary with frontline troops in Northeastern Nigeria.
The President’s aircraft touched down at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) 105 Composite Group, where he was received by the Borno State Governor, other top government officials and the Service Chiefs, including the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.
Immediately after the brief reception at the NAF Base, President Buhari was airlifted with a NAF Agusta 109 Light Utility Helicopter to the venue of the celebrations in Maimalari Barracks.
In his address to frontline personnel of Operation Lafiya Dole, the President expressed the nation’s gratitude for the sacrifices being made by members of the Armed Forces.
He stated that without their efforts, the relative peace being enjoyed by Nigerians would not have been possible.
Read Also:
- Troops Killed 1,937 Terrorists, including 65 Senior Terrorists Commanders, Rescued 1,859 Kidnapped Victims in the 3rd Quarter of this year; Thwarted Oil Theft of over N13 billion, Destroyed over 100 illegal Refining Sites in Maritime, Land and Air operations – DHQ
- AFIT; NAF’ll Continue Leveraging Technical Education to Sustain Highly Skilled Manpower for National Security – CAS
- Armed Forces of Nigeria have Reduced Incidences of Security Breaches to 65% – Defence Minister; Says Mali has re-joined MNJTF to Annihilate Migrating Terrorists
He therefore commended them and promised that the nation would not spare expenses in ensuring the welfare of military personnel as well as in further enhancing their capacity.
Buhari then took the time to personally interact with some of the personnel, especially those who had been wounded in action.
The NAF added colour to the occasion with aerial displays by its aircraft, which are involved in the ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
The NAF aircraft that participated in the aerial display included 2 F-7Ni supersonic jets, 4 Alpha Jet which specializes in air interdiction and 2 L-49ZA albatross.
The following NAF helicopters also took part in the display: 2 Agusta 109 LUH as well as one each of the Mi-35M helicopter gunship, Mi-17 attack helicopter and the EC-135.
A statement by the Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, Director of NAF Public Relations and Information said, “The visit of President Buhari went a long way in boosting the morale of the frontline personnel, who were obviously excited at seeing their C-in-C.”
END
