The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has restated its commitment to the welfare of troops at the frontline, while urging them to remain focused on their duty of protecting civilians from bandits and insurgents.
The charge was delivered on September 3, 2025, during the commissioning of worship centres and other welfare projects at the 4135 Force Protection Wing in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State ; an area that has faced repeated attacks by bandits in recent years.
The new projects include worship centres for both Christians and Muslims, a Mini-Mart, and a Quarter Guard Stand. According to NAF, they are part of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar’s policy of placing personnel welfare at the heart of operational effectiveness.
Representing the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Yusuf Dari, who commands the Air Training Command, praised the troops for their sacrifices and professionalism in restoring calm to previously terrorised communities.
“The communities we protect are safer today because of your efforts,” Dari told the personnel. “But you must remain watchful, support one another in the field, and never forget that our ultimate duty is to shield civilians from harm.”
He stressed that their mission goes beyond combat. “It is about safeguarding innocent civilians, building trust with communities, and ensuring lasting peace,” he said, while emphasising unity and respect for civilian populations as keys to success.
Dari assured troops of the continued support of the Air Force leadership, noting that the projects were a “clear demonstration of NAF’s determination to balance combat readiness with the welfare, resilience, and spiritual needs of its personnel.”
Recall that only two days later, on September 5, NAF carried out a successful air raid in the Sambisa Forest, Borno State, killing more than 15 terrorists and destroying critical insurgent infrastructure – a further demonstration of its resolve to combat terrorism.
