The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said it has airlifted electoral material weighing about 633,790kg for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to 31 different locations across the country.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar said airlift operations took place from 12 February to 3 March 2019.
CAS said 8 NAF aircraft were employed in the airlift operation, flying a total of about 340 hours in 257 sorties with about 120 crew members involved, comprising pilots, technicians and other special tries operating on an almost round the clock basis.
He said said the service has deployed additional aircrafts including Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms, to various flash points in support of the Nigeria Police and other security agencies for the peaceful conduct of the elections.
Abubakar while briefing Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) and Air Officers Commanding(AOC) ahead of the second phase of the general elections at the NAF headquarters in Abuja directed them to ensure safety of lives and properties in their various locations.
He stressed that no excuse would be tolerated for any failure in this regard. He also reminded AOCs that they must ensure that all NAF personnel remain professional in the discharge of their duties whilst ensuring that no individual or group of individuals is allowed to undermine the electoral process.
The Air Chief in a statement by Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, noted that contingency plans have been emplaced in case of any break down of law and order while NAF Hospitals and medical centres have been put on alert to assist in attending to any medical emergencies.
Stella Enenche, Abuja
