NAF Deploys Surveillance Aircraft For Election Monitoring
BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – Ahead of the rescheduled 2019 General Elections, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar has directed personnel of the Nigerian Air Force to remain apolitical but to sternly resist any entreaties by unscrupulous and self-centered individuals who are more concerned about their personal interests than the nation’s interests.
Abubakar, who gave the directive on Thursday when he met with Principal Staff Officers of the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force (HQ NAF), and Air Officers Commanding (AOCs) of the 6 NAF Field Commands, said that surveillance aircraft would be deployed to potential flashpoints to provide real-time imagery intelligence that would be streamed live to the HQ NAF Situation Room as well as Command Situation and Operations Rooms across the country.
He therefore implored the PSOs and AOCs to ensure that subordinate Commanders remain focused on the discharge of their assigned tasks, whilst encouraging their personnel not on essential duties to exercise their legitimate rights to vote.
A statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola explained that the meeting was aimed at further sensitizing the PSOs and AOCs on the need to ensure that all NAF personnel remain apolitical whilst carrying out their duties of providing necessary support to the lead agency, the Nigeria Police, along with other civil security agencies, in ensuring peaceful conduct of the General Elections.
Daramola said the meeting also provided avenue for the Chief of Air Staff to be briefed on the emergency contingency plans of the 6 Commands for their Areas of Responsibility (AORs) as well as the deployment of NAF aircraft assigned for support operations during the Elections.
He said that Abubakar used the opportunity to again remind the PSOs and AOCs to ensure that NAF Personnel are professional and decisive in the discharge of their duties.
The CAS also urged them to work very closely with other security agencies to ensure that no individual or group of individuals undermine the electoral process. He noted that Commanders would be held personally responsible for any lapses.
Abubakar assured that the NAF, working in conjunction with the Nigeria Police and other security agencies, would ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians before, during and after the elections.
He urged all eligible voters to come out to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed rights to vote for the candidates of their choice on election days.