Air Force to Train Officers in Election Duties

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, has disclosed that officers of the service participating in the 2023 general election will undergo special training.

Amao described the exercise as a “realistic pre-induction training”, adding that the training would be held for officers that would be deployed for election duties in all its units.

He spoke during his meeting with Branch Chiefs, Air Officers Commanding, Commandants and Units Commanders held at Headquarters NAF, Abuja.

These were contained in a statement on Wednesday by the spokesperson for the Air Force, Air Commodore Wap Maigida.

Amao also urged his men to remain apolitical before, during and after the elections.

It partly read, “As Nigerians prepare to go to the polls, the Chief of Air Staff,  Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, charged personnel of the Nigerian Air Force to remain apolitical throughout the elections.

“Amao, urged the Commanders to sensitise NAF personnel on the Code of Conduct for Armed Forces of Nigeria during elections, while also reminding them to be apolitical, particularly now that the elections are close.”

He added that the NAF will commence what he described as a realistic pre-induction training in all its units for personnel that would be deployed for election support duties.

He charged NAF Commanders to synergise with other security agencies within their Areas of Responsibility towards organising joint inter-agency training to enhance the capacity of law-enforcement agencies in discharging their respective roles during the elections.

“NAF personnel are expected to work in synergy with other security agencies within their respective Areas of Responsibilities to ensure peaceful conduct of the forthcoming general elections,” he said.

The CAS highlighted that part of NAF’s responsibilities to provide aid to civil authority include assisting the Independent National Electoral Commission to airlift election materials to various parts of the country.

Amao also charged field Commanders in various theatres of operation across the country to sustain the tempo of operations and onslaught against terrorists. According to him, going by recent happenings in the country, it has become imperative for officers to avoid any actions or utterances that could tarnish the image of the Service.