By Gift Samuel, The Sight News
In a bid to maintain peace and curtail senseless killings as well as possible spread of violence in some parts of Jos, Plateau State, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has deployed some of its air assets and personnel to the state, to support Operation SAFE HAVEN.
The NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya in a statement on Thursday, disclosed that the deployment was ordered by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, in compliance with the directive of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari, to ensure that an end is put to the current spate of violence and killings in the state.
He further said that the deployment is also to ensure the prevention of reprisal attacks, which could escalate the conflict.
According to the DOPRI, “The deployed NAF assets include the L-39ZA aircraft and the EC-135 helicopter, which are to provide necessary air cover to the surface forces participating in the Operation in the State”.
He recalled that the NAF has always acted in aid of civil authority, whenever called upon to do so, in line with its statutory role, adding that the NAF, apart from its presence in the North East to fight Boko Haram insurgents, has also deployed its air assets and personnel in recent times to Kafachan in Southern Kaduna and Takum in Taraba State to stop incessant communal clashes.
He maintained that the NAF remains focused on its primary responsibility of ensuring the security of the citizenry while continuing to count on their support and understanding.
