The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has commended the NAF troops on the frontline for their commitment to the ongoing fight against insurgency.

Abubakar gave the commendation in a statement by the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, in Abuaj on Wednesday.

He gave the commendation when he visited the troops in Yola and Maiduguri to celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir with them.

According to him, it is the tradition of the air chief to spend festive periods with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) troops on the frontline.

Abubakar said that the successes in the fight against insurgency in the past three years had enabled persons, who had been displaced from their communities for several years to safely return to their ancestral homes.

The CAS noted that the NAF had also made significant progress in the North-west since the commencement of Operation DIRAN MIKIYA on July 30, which had led to drastic reduction in armed banditry and other criminal activities in Zamfara and surrounding states.

Abubakar stressed that all the achievements recorded were due to the tireless efforts and sacrifices of the gallant officers, airmen and airwomen of the NAF and the personnel of sister services.

He, therefore, urged them not to relent in their efforts but sustain their dedication toward the performance of NAF’s constitutional roles.

The air chief also reminded troops to remain non-partisan, while exercising their rights to vote for candidates of their choice at appropriate elections.

Abubakar also inaugurated welfare projects in Yola as he celebrates the Sallah with the troops.

He inaugurated two newly constructed and furnished blocks of 12 units of one-bedroom single officers’ quarters, executed by NAF Headquarters as well as a leisure park at the 163 NAF Hospital, executed by the Commander of the Hospital.

He said that his desire was to see all personnel adequately quartered not only in Yola, but all over NAF units across the country.

“However, your peculiarity, in view of your unassailable contributions as a frontline Unit in the ongoing fight against insurgency, demands extra attention from me,” he said.

The CAS reminded personnel to remain apolitical and exhibit the highest level of professionalism, while showing absolute respect for the rights and privileges of citizens