President Bola Tinubu has urged the Nigerian military and security agencies to step up efforts to tackle the country’s multifaceted security challenges.
The President made this call on Tuesday during the induction ceremony of two TK-129 ATAK helicopters and a King Air 360i aircraft at Nigeria Air (NAF) Base in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the event, President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the nation’s security forces through the modernization of fleets, personnel training, and welfare enhancements.
He emphasised the importance of maintaining vigilance and supporting the Armed Forces, highlighting the government’s recent efforts to modernise the Nigerian Air Force’s arsenal.
President Tinubu underscored the significance of the new aircraft in enhancing the strategic utilisation of air power against terrorism, insurgency, and other security threats facing the nation.
While acknowledging the challenges posed by budgetary constraints, he reiterated the government’s determination to prioritise the nation’s security needs and ensure maximum benefits from acquisitions like the newly inducted aircraft.
President Tinubu also commended the Nigerian Air Force for its contributions to national security, peacekeeping, and humanitarian operations both domestically and globally.
He further emphasised the need for continued coordination among security agencies and expressed his administration’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, capacity building, and adequate equipment provision for the Armed Forces and security agencies.
In his remarks, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, expressed gratitude for the government’s support and highlighted the importance of the new aircraft in enhancing the Air Force’s capacity to address security challenges effectively.
The Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, lauded President Tinubu’s commitment to bolstering the armed forces and urged the military to maintain a positive maintenance culture in utilising the newly acquired platforms.
The induction ceremony was attended by various dignitaries, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, and members of the National Assembly and state House of Assembly.
