President Muhammadu Buhari has said the war on the Boko
Haram insurgency in the northeast will continue until the remaining Chibok
girls were found and returned to their parents.
Buhari said this Saturday while inducting two newly
purchased Russian Mi-35M attack helicopters at the Nigerian Air Force 53rd
Anniversary celebration in Makurdi, Benue State.
The President who was represented by the Minister of
Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, noted that the attack helicopters would be deployed to
combat security challenges in the northeast and other troubled zones in the
country.
“I have always said
that we cannot consider the war against insurgency to be won until the
remaining Chibok girls are found and delivered to their parents.He said, “We
must realise that the NAF has played some crucial roles in the
counter-insurgency efforts in the northeast. I urge the airmen and officers to
consolidate on their efforts and protect our national security.
“And the government is fully committed to fulfilling this
objective as soon as possible. Accordingly, the two new Russian fighter helicopters,
which are being inducted into the NAF inventory today (Saturday), is to enhance
the search for these girls, and the other abductees of the insurgents.
“Since its establishment in 1964, the air force has lived up
to the deployment of air power to defend the territorial sovereignty of the
country, and we have been able to rescue most of the towns and villages,
hitherto violated by the Boko Haram insurgents.”
By Dolapo Adelana
