NIGERIAN AIRFORCE BASES UNDER ATTACK: CHIEF OF AIR STAFF ALERTS OFFICERS AND PERSONNEL

Air marshal Abubakar, the chief of air staff has placed officers and men of the air force on red alert to prevent any attack. “We have had an attack on one of our airbases in the recent past and current intelligence reports keep highlighting the possibility of attacks on our bases,” he said.

“Given the importance of bases in the airpower delivery matrix, it is not inconceivable to expect our adversaries to target our bases.

He added that evolving security environment globally had become complex and “most times unpredictable.”

Abubakar said these issues range from challenges of terrorism, militancy, kidnapping to economic sabotage.

“On the assumption of office and with the need to develop a robust base defence concept in view, we carried out a review of the then base defence concept,” he said.

 “Consequently, we introduced a new base defence concept. The new base defence concept is premised on the development and deployment of an air-minded ground defence force, trained and equipped as special light infantry and capable of operating both inside and outside the base perimeter against contemporary threats while leveraging on intelligence and available modern technology.”

“However, recent evaluations of the bases reveal that many commanders and bases are still sold on the old concept and are yet to imbibe and adopt the tenets of the new base defence concept.” he said.

Abubakar said the British military assistant team (BMAT) is expected in the country to train 300 regiment personnel.

He said the training is so as to have “reliable and highly skilled personnel that can protect all NAF bases in the country.”