2023 Polls: Remain Apolitical, NAF Boss Charges Officers

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, has charged personnel of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to remain apolitical throughout the elections.

Amao gave the charge during his meeting with Branch Chiefs, Air Officers Commanding (AOCs), Commandants and units Commanders held at Headquarters NAF, Abuja on Tuesday.

In a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information Air Cdre Wap Maigida yesterday,

Air Marshal Amao, urged the Commanders to sensitize NAF personnel on the  Code of Conduct for Armed Forces of Nigeria during elections, while also reminding them to be apolitical, particularly now that the elections are close.

He added that the NAF will commence what he described as a realistic pre-induction training in all its units for personnel that would be deployed for election support duties.

He also charged NAF Commanders to synergize with other security agencies within their Areas of Responsibilities towards organizing joint inter-agency training in order to enhance the capacity of law-enforcement agencies in discharging their respective roles during the elections.

“NAF personnel are expected to work in synergy with other security agencies within their respective Areas of Responsibilities to ensure peaceful conduct of the forthcoming general elections”, he said.

The CAS highlighted that part of NAF’s responsibilities include assisting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the airlift of election materials to various parts of the country.

 Air Marshal Amao also charged field commanders in various theatres of operation across the country to sustain the tempo of operations and onslaught against terrorists.

According to him, going by recent happenings in the country, it has become imperative for personnel to avoid any actions or utterances that could tarnish the image of the Service.

While commending efforts of commanders and personnel at various theatres of operations across the country, the CAS noted that the remarkable successes recorded so far against insurgency and terrorism was as a result of hard work, dedication and sacrifices.

Speaking further, the CAS disclosed that the NAF, in 2021 and 2022 alone, trained a total of 9,148 personnel locally and 786 personnel overseas cutting across all aircrew and ground specialties.

According to him, currently a total of 122 personnel is undergoing foreign training while 1,057 are on local training and more would be processed for training in the course of the year.