The Nigerian Army has announced there is now a ‘welfare flight’ for officers and soldiers at the frontline who wish to go away for a limited period of time
Soldiers at the frontline are sometimes permitted to go away and see their families for a limited time and this what they refer to as “Pass”
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Onyema Nwachukwu, army spokesperson, In a statement on Tuesday said chief of army staff, Faruk Yahaya, launched the welfare flight at the air force base in Maiduguri, Borno state, on Monday.
According to him, the aircraft, Nigerian Air Force Charlie-130, was provided by Isiaka Amao, the chief of air staff.
“Lieutenant General Yahaya in his remarks said welfare of troops is one of his cardinal focus for the Nigerian Army and it is in this regard that the initiative was birthed in order to ease the movement of personnel of OPHK by addressing problems such as distance and other associated challenges, while proceeding on pass to see their families and loved ones,”
“He said the ongoing Joint operations in the Theatre has further strengthened the synergy between the services and other security agencies which informed the decision of Chief of the Air Staff to provide the Nigerian Air Force Charlie-130 aircraft to lift troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), personnel of other security agencies, as well as civilian staff of the AFN from Maiduguri to other parts of the country.
“He stated that the flight will be twice a month to meet the 2 weeks duration of leave passes in the theatre, He added that personnel leaving on pass will be granted two weeks. The COAS further directed that all security measures must be strictly adhered to, as troops will be thoroughly searched, cleared and documented before boarding the flight.
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“He urged all troops to utilize the opportunity to promote synergy amongst all the services and security agencies in the theatre, in order to achieve success in ongoing and future operations.
“While appreciating the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari for his guidance, directions and the confidence reposed in the AFN, Gen Yahaya pledged his unalloyed loyalty and commitment to defending the constitution of the country. He also extended his appreciation to the Minister of Defence Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd), the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, Chief of the Naval Staff, Chief of the Air Staff and the Inspector General of Police for their support and collaboration.”
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