Army, Air Chiefs Celebrate Joint Christmas With Troops

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Oladayo Amao have celebrated a Joint Christmas Luncheon for soldiers wounded in action and all the troops of the Theatre Command, North East Operation HADIN KAI in Nigeria

This is in keeping with the tradition of celebrating Christmas with the troops at the frontlines to appreciate them for their sacrifices to the nation.

Speaking at the event held at the Headquarters Theatre Command, in the Borno State capital, Maiduguri, the Army Chief appreciated the men and Officers of the Nigerian Army and all the personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces for their commitment towards defeating insecurity in the country.

“As we celebrate this year’s Christmas, I wish to pay a special tribute to our dear colleagues who have paid the supreme price in the defence of our fatherland, let us use this opportunity to remember and pray for the repose of their souls and the souls of all our gallant departed colleagues. Be rest assured that the Nigerian army under my watch remains committed to providing quality welfare for their families and preserving the memories of their uncommon sacrifices.

“I am very passionate about providing the highest standard of medical care to all the Nigerian army personnel and their families both locally and abroad, we will continue to provide the best support to those wounded in action, furthermore I employ you to maintain the spirit of patriotism and continue to give your best in the discharge of your assigned duties and responsibilities,” stated General Yahaya.

The Army Chief also said the collective sacrifices of the men of the armed forces in the various theatres of operations are well appreciated by Nigerians.

“There will be no hiding place in our land for terrorist bandits, kidnappers, secessionists and all violent criminals who have taken up arms against the state, therefore as we celebrate Christmas and new year, we are even more resolved, committed and dedicated to deal decisively with the terrorist and all those who have taken up arms against the Nigerian state.”

Also speaking at the occasion, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Oladayo Amao while appreciating the personnel of the Nigerian Air Force said the Christmas Luncheon provides an opportunity to bond with the frontline troops and to also promote comradeship and regimentation in the service of the nation.

He commended the Theatre Commander, Operation HADIN KAI, his component commanders and gallant officers and men who continue to conduct air and ground operations to protect the lives of all those in the North East.

“The successful maritime operations at the Lake Chad to restore economic activities is also well noted, the Nigerian air force through the air component of Operation HADIN KAI has continued to employ and project air power in concert with surface forces within the theatre. Let me put in on record that the air component conducted a total of one thousand eight hundred and eighty four missions (1,884) in two thousand five hundred and sixty five (2,565) stotis with a total flight time of three thousand, six hundred and forty three hours twenty five minutes from January 2022 till date this is in spite of the perennial weather constrain and thug of war, these tremendous efforts has been remarkably effective in degrading the capabilities of the terrorist and denying them the freedom of action in the North East,” the Air Chief stated.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Theatre Commander North East OPERATION HADIN KAI, Major General Christopher Musa, applauded the zeal, passion and commitment of the Borno State Government to the restoration of peace to the state.

He said the Joint Christmas luncheon affords the service Chiefs the opportunity to commemorate and celebrate the spirit of the festive season with the troops of operation HADIN KAI, especially all the Christian faithful.

The gesture according to General Musa is also to appreciate the enormous efforts by troops to restore normalcy to the region of the North East

The Special Guest of Honour at the occasion, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum represented by his Deputy, Umar Usman Kadafur, commended the service Chiefs of the Nigerian Army and Air Force for their leadership styles.

He also commended their instant rewarding system for the officers who perform incredibly well at the theatre.

Governor Zulum appreciated the armed forces for their commitment to ending insurgency in the state as well as international partners for putting in their best in the recovery process in the state and the nation.

von