From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has reiterated its commitment to national security and promised to bring to justice,terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminals using the nation’s ungoverned spaces as their operational bases.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, who made the vow, also declared the readiness of the NAF, to ensure that those who take up arms against the state are found, fixed, and killed.
Abubakar, said this when he declared open the 2025 Administration and Personnel Seminar holding in Abuja.
“Our relentless operations against criminal elements reaffirm our determination to protect innocent lives and restore peace across the nation. Let me make it clear that airpower will extend the long arm of the law, bringing justice to criminals hiding in ungoverned spaces. We will find, fix, and strike all those who take arms against the State, and we will not relent until Nigeria is safe for all,”.
Abubakar while noting that the Nigerian Air Force has witnessed 86% increase in manpower over the last 13 years, with the number of airmen and airwomen doubling since 2013, said over 530 officers have been commissioned, while 2,300 airmen have been recruited Under his leadership.
He said at the current pace of recruitment, the NAF is projected to exceed 30,000 personnel by 2027, reinforcing its operational capabilities.
According to him,“The most significant growth surge occurred between 2017 and 2020, and currently, the officer-to-airman ratio stands at approximately 1:6. If we maintain this growth rate, the NAF is projected to exceed 30,000 personnel by 2027.
“This rapid increase in staff numbers underscores the need for modern, computerised human resource management and proactive administration,”.
The NAF chief, while noting that the growing force demands better career management, performance evaluation, accommodation, healthcare, and welfare incentives to sustain operational efficiency and morale, said “The effectiveness of our pilots, engineers, and operational elements depends on the foundation laid by administrative personnel who manage career progression, enforce discipline, and provide welfare support.