The Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Farouq Yahaya has launched a special welfare flight for troops prosecuting the counter insurgency operation in the northeast.
At a ceremony to launch the inaugural flight at the Nigeria Airforce Base Maiduguri, Lieutenant General Yahaya said the welfare package was initiated to ease movement of troops of Operation Hadin Kai who are on pass to visit their families located in different parts of the country.
The Army Chief noted that travelling out of the Theatre has been challenging due to distance and other associated problems.
According to him, the troops will be using platforms of the Nigeria Airforce which signify the cooperation and synergy between the armed forces and other security agencies.
“the flight is for welfare of troops and personnel of Operation Hadin Kai, all those who are going on pass if they are well documented, they will benefit from the flight. This is for the gallant troops of Operation Hadin Kai that this thing is established, ofcourse we cannot but appreciate and thank Nigeria Airforce and the Chief of Air Staff for granting to provide this aircraft for this flight, General Yahaya said”
The Chief of Army Staff urged officers and men of Operation Hadin Kai to utilise the welfare flight provided and continue with the synergy already established among all the Services to ensure sustainable peace is restored in the region.
General Yahaya called on remnants of Boko Haram insurgents to give up the fight and embrace the path of peace.
“”For those in the bush,.we call on them to also come and surrender their arms like their other colleagues who have seen the light choosen the right thing to do so that we conclude, if they fail we will get to them, we have already gotten to some and we will get it to all, he remarked “.
The Chief of Operations Army Major General Olufemi Akinjobi, said welfare flight will be conducted bimonthly in three locations.
According to Major General Akinjobi, the locations are Lagos, Abuja and Maiduguri.
The event was witnessed by the Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Isiaka Amao represented by the Air Officer Commanding Air Tactical Command, Air Vice Marshal Idi Lubo, Theatre Commander Operation Hadin Kai Major General Christopher Musa and other Principal Staff Officers from Army headquarters.
Highpoint of the occasion was the symbolic wave of the white flag of Operation Hadin Kai, signifying the commencement of the welfare flight.
Dauda Iliya