By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has restated its unwavering commitment to the welfare and morale of its frontline personnel, while urging them to remain vigilant, resolute, and united in their mission to protect civilians from the threats of banditry and insurgency.
The charge was delivered on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, during the commissioning of worship centres and value-addition projects at the 4135 Force Protection Wing in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State. The newly commissioned facilities include worship centres for both Christian and Muslim personnel, a Mini-Mart, and a Quarter Guard Stand, projects undertaken in line with the command philosophy of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, who has consistently emphasised personnel welfare as a key pillar of operational effectiveness.
Representing the CAS at the event, the Air Officer Commanding, Air Training Command (AOC ATC), Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Yusuf Dari, praised the troops for their professionalism, courage, and sacrifices in tackling the menace of criminal elements in the region. He commended them for their resilience, noting that their efforts have brought relative calm to communities that had long lived under the fear of bandits, while also degrading the networks of those bent on destabilising the region.
“The communities we protect are safer today because of your efforts,” AVM Dari declared. “But you must remain watchful, support one another in the field, and never forget that our ultimate duty is to shield civilians from harm. Your mission goes beyond combat; it is about safeguarding innocent lives, building trust with our people, and ensuring lasting peace.”
He urged the troops to always uphold unity of purpose, discipline, and respect for civilian populations, describing these virtues as powerful enablers of operational success. According to him, the ability of NAF personnel to maintain cohesion, even in the face of adversity, not only strengthens their operational performance but also fosters stronger bonds with the communities they protect.
AVM Dari also conveyed the assurance of the Chief of the Air Staff that the welfare and resilience of frontline personnel will remain a top priority for the NAF. He explained that the projects commissioned were tangible demonstrations of the service’s determination to balance combat readiness with the spiritual, social, and welfare needs of its personnel. By blending operational focus with initiatives that uplift the morale and living conditions of its troops, the NAF, he said, is not only reinforcing its fighting strength but also strengthening its relationship with the civilian population.
