President Muhammadu Buhari reiterated his determination to build up the country’s armed forces to counter threats from terrorism and bandits in a speech at the commissioning of two Nigeria Air Force Agusta 109 Power Helicopters and Mi-17 E Helicopters at the Eagle Square.
“We promise to re-professionalise and re-equip the Armed Forces and security agencies to effectively discharge their duties to our nation,” the President said Thursday.
“Professionalism, capacity building and adequately equipping the Armed Forces and other security agencies are a major policy thrust of the Administration.”
“I have no doubt that the deployment of these Agusta 109P gunships and the M-17IE helicopter would add impetus to the combat efficiency of the Air Force in combating our contemporary security challenges,” he added.
He said the military will be re-professionalized and re-equipped to meet the growing exigencies of security in the country, assuring Nigerians that the promise of ending terrorism would be realised.
He urged the Nigeria Air force to ensure discipline in their operations, and a strong maintenance culture that will enable the nation derive maximum benefits from the newly acquired helicopters.
President Buhari noted that two earlier commissioned Agusta 109 Power helicopter gunships, which were procured from Italy over a year ago, had made impact on the war against terrorism.
President Buhari commended the support of the Governments of Italy and the Russian Federation, and efforts of the Italian and Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, at sustaining the strategic partnership which facilitated this acquisition.
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