By OKOSUN OKHUELEIGBE
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said in Lagos on Saturday that the incessant bomb blasts been experienced in recent times were caused by frustrated Boko Haram sect.
Abubakar made this disclosure in an interview with defence correspondents after a tour of units and command in Lagos under the Air Vice Marshal Muhammadu Muhammed led-Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Logistics Command.
According to him, these are signs of frustration on the part of the terrorist because if you look at what was the situation on ground in the past where you have about 15 vehicles moving in convoy from one village to another killing people, it is no longer happening now.
These isolated cases of bombings are signs of frustration on the part of the Boko Haram sect. We are doing everything humanly possible to make sure that Nigerians would be secure and no territory of Nigeria would be captured again by the Boko Haram sect.
Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar pointed out that “Out of frustration, few of the individuals might be able to sneak through security network and create what we are seeing now in Yola and Maiduguri.”
Speaking on the likelihood of moles infiltrating the military he said, “I don’t know if there are moles in the military but I don’t think so. Everybody is committed. All hands are on deck to make sure we deal with this problem.
“Nigerians also have a role to play. Look at the incidences of suicide bombing, for instance, a fighter aircraft tank cannot sport a 13-year-old girl carrying bombs. It’s the community around.
He debunked the claims that the military has used mercenaries or has plans to use them saying, “We don’t have plans to use any mercenary.
We have highly committed personnel, patriotic and very hardworking and courageous and we are doing everything humanly possible to deal with the situation.
On the December deadline set by the president he said, “The deadline is still there and it’s something that can be achieved. We are working seriously to achieve it but while fighting, there is also need to take care of the welfare of your men. The military is doing a good job and we have also identified certain areas that we need to do more.”
The CAS also denied the claims that the recent crash of NAF aircrafts can be traced to the purchase of substandard equipment he said, “Not exactly. A detailed investigation is on-going but I can tell you that the main issue was weather. It has nothing to do with substandard equipment.
“For the first air crash, we are trying to move the aircraft engine to the United States so that we can have a very thorough investigation as to what caused the crash.”
He commended the security agencies for the arrest of Boko Haram suspects in Lagos, he said, “The arrest shows we are doing everything we can to make sure that every citizen of Nigeria is secure. It shows people are really working round the clock to make sure everywhere is safe.”