Air Force foils plans by Boko Haram to disrupt Sallah celebration in Borno
The Nigerian Air Force said yesterday that it foiled an attempt by Boko Haram to breach the peaceful Eid-el Kabir celebration in Borno State.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, stated this at a feast organized for officers and men of the service at the 105 Composite Group, Maiduguri.
Abubakar had held a grand feast for service men carrying out the counter-insurgency operation in the North-East, as part of the Eid-el Kabir celebration.
He said the Air Force, in a joint operation with the army destroyed insurgents’ hideouts, thereby scuttling their plans to attack communities during the festivities.
“Boko Haram insurgents planned to destabilize the Sallah celebration, but with help of the Almighty Allah and our collective efforts, we foiled their plans.
“Our objective is to protect lives and property, safeguard the national territorial integrity and make our communities safe so that farmers can go back to their settlements and cultivate their farmlands. We will remain in the forest to protect our people.
“The insurgents are on the run due to concerted military efforts; the only option left for them is to surrender,” he said.
Abubakar congratulated the men and officers of the service for their dedication and gallantry, saying that Nigerians were proud of their achievements.
He added that arrangements had been concluded for the training of air force personnel within and outside the country, to strengthen defence operations. (NAN)