Boko Haram: NAF Chief counts gains of research partnership with Nigerian Universities, says Multitude Of Boko Haram Members Are Surrendering

The Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sadique Abubakar has said the recent partnership with 15 Nigerian Universities has not only saved Nigeria huge resources but also exposed the gains of self-reliance, as the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) in collaboration, is now producing aircraft batteries and other components locally.

Even as he said the idea behind the offer of a “safe corridor” to rehabilitate Boko haram members and have them reintegrated into the society is to give opportunity to those that are willing to lay down their arms to do so, as multitudes of the insurgents are already surrendering to the military.

The NAF boss made this known yesterday in Abuja at press briefing to kick start activities for the 52nd Anniversary celebration, saying very soon the security challenge caused by the Boko haram terrorists would be over, as intelligence has revealed that members of the group are divided among themselves, with some willing to surrender and take the option of rehabilitation. He however said the military is not in anyway offering amnesty to the insurgents but giving them the opportunity to surrender their arms, be profiled and possibly reintegrated into he society.

He said enhanced Research and Development (R&D) has saved huge resources for the country as well as man hour, as the result of the collaboration with the Universities is the production of fighter aircraft batteries in Makurdi.

While stating that nearly 1000 personnel of the NAF have been trained within the last nine (9) months both locally and internationally, Abubakar confirmed that the video clips released by the leader of Boko haram, Abubakar Shekau is being analyzed by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to make “sense” out of it, as it was released on the social media. He said highlights of the 52nd celebration which holds from April 12-15 in Bauchi state would be lectures, novelty match, fly past, CAS open forum, reunion variety night, CAS awards, jumat prayers, church service and humanitarian outreach.

There would also be a reunion of serving and retired officers in order to brainstorm on key challenges, hence the theme of the anniversary, “Reuniting for Enhanced Service Delivery and Operational Effectiveness”.