Aerial bombardment by Air Force led to total defeat of Boko Haram - Vice Admiral Ete-Ibas

-Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas notes that it was sustained aerial bombardment by the Air Force that led to the total defeat of the Boko Haram insurgency

- He praised the Air Force for contributing to the fight against illegal activities in the maritime domain such as piracy, oil theft and bunkering

- He charged the newly-winged young pilots of the Air Force to appreciate their new and expected role, especially in this challenging period

The chief of Naval staff Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas has disclosed that the total defeat of Boko Haram terrorists was made possible through the use of air power by the Nigerian Air Force.

According to Vanguard, the Naval chief made his comments in Abuja at the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters while featuring as Guest of Honor at the winging ceremony of ten new young Air Force pilots.

Ibas praised the Air Force for its invaluable role in maintaining peace and security in the region.

He noted that the sustained aerial bombardment by the Air Force was what hastened the decimation of the strength of the insurgency and led to the total defeat of the terrorists.

He stated: “I dare say that the course of the counter insurgency operations would not have been as promising without the indispensable and ubiquitous air support."

The naval chief also lauded the Nigerian Air Force for its operations in supporting capacity against the various illegalities in the nation’s maritime domain and participation in regional exercises.

According to Ete-Ibas, they were invaluable in shaping the operational space of “this much abused expanse.”

He continued: “In this regard, I pay tribute to your contributions, which have been great enablers in the fight against such ills as piracy, crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, and your spectacular performance in Exercise Oban game.”

The newly inducted pilots were also charged to appreciate their new status and expected role as Ete-Ibas stated that it was instructive that their induction coincided with “a very challenging period where the Nigerian Air Force platforms were actively engaged in the combat air operations.”

Addressing the new pilots, he said:“You cannot but flow with the momentum established and stand ready for duty at all times.

“I therefore charge you to be courageous, hardworking and above all disciplined.”

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Meanwhile, sebkeyzblog.blogspot.com previously reported that the chief of Army staff Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai said the lessons he learnt from the Bangladesh National Defense while on course had been very useful in the counter insurgency operations in the North-East.

Buratai made this known in Lagos when he received the Bangladesh Army Chief of Staff Gen. Abu Shafiul Huq.

According to him, the lessons are partly responsible for the success being recorded in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorists.