AVM Idi Lubo, the outgoing Air Task Force Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, has tasked airmen and personnel of the service to show greater commitment towards ending the insurgency and enhance peacebuilding in the country.
Mr Lubo made the call at a reception organized in his honour at the 105 Air Force Composite Commands, Maiduguri.
He said that officers and men of the service should remain focused, disciplined and dedicated to ensuring successful implementation of the counter-insurgency campaign and restoration of peace in the northeast.
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“The officers should not rest on their oars until we have peace in every corner of Nigeria; that what I believe and that is what we are calling to serve as soldiers,” he said.
Mr Lubo also called on the Boko Haram insurgents to surrender so as to end violence and achieve peace in the war-ravaged region.
He noted that the service had conducted various leaflet drops to let the insurgents know that the military was not out to kill senselessly.
“Some of them were taken hostage by the insurgents, we ask those still hiding in the bush to come out, give up and live a normal life.
“The theatre of operation has ample opportunities to de-radicalise, rehabilitate and integrate them into the society”.
Mr Lubo commended the servicemen over their contributions to the successes recorded against the insurgents and called on them to cooperate with his successor.
Also speaking, Maj,-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, lauded the successful air interdictions conducted by the service in the past 10 months.
Nicholas, represented by his deputy, Commodore I Hassan, said the feat achieved was largely responsible to the effective coordination and supervision by the outgoing commander.
He noted that the service had been providing support to the land and marine troops under the Operations Deep Punch II, Ruwan Wuta and Last Hold.
“The commander led the command well and executed viable projects to provide an enabling working environment and improvement of personnel welfare,” he said.
Mr Lubo was deployed to the Tactical Air Command, Makurdi, as Chief of Staff, while Air Commodore, Jacob Gwani was appointed as the new Air Task Force Commander.
Until his appointment, Gwani was the Commander 105 Composite Group, Maiduguri.
NAN
