NAF commences airlift of relief materials to victims

From Molly Kilete. Abuja

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), said it has commenced airlift missions to transport relief materials to victims of the recent flood disaster affecting Maiduguri and its surrounding communities in Borno State.

NAF Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information, Group Captain Kabiru Ali, who made this known in a statement, said the airlift was in fulfilment of its statutory role of providing Military Aid to Civil Authority (MACA),
The statement reads; “In fulfillment of its statutory role of providing Military Aid to Civil Authority (MACA), the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has commenced airlift missions to transport relief materials to victims of the recent flood disaster affecting Maiduguri and its surrounding communities. These materials, donated by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), are aimed at alleviating the suffering caused by the floods, which have disrupted daily life, destroyed properties, and displaced millions.

“The airlift missions, which commenced on 14 September 2024, had the first batch of the relief items, comprising 300 bags of 50kg rice, successfully delivered to NAF Base Maiduguri via the NAF C-130 Hercules aircraft. The Air Component Commander, Air Commodore UU Idris, received the materials and handed them over to the Commissioner for Inter-Governmental and Special Duties, Alhaji Tukur Ibrahim, who was accompanied by the Comptroller of the Nigerian Customs Service, MD Malah. Additionally, heavy-duty trucks provided by the NAF were used to transport the materials to the Borno State Government House for onward distribution.

“Earlier on, the NAF had launched a medical outreach program to support flood victims, in addition to the feeding of over 2,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). This initiative includes the provision of medications, food, and water supplies to help mitigate the effects of the flood and address the urgent needs of the affected population.

“The NAF’s airlift mission and medical outreach are part of a broader effort to support national disaster response initiatives and highlight the critical role of military assets in humanitarian crises. The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal HB Abubakar (DFS), has directed that these operations continue as needed, ensuring that both relief materials and medical aid reach all affected areas.

“On the directive of the Chief of the Air Staff, the NAF will persistently collaborate with other security agencies to mobilize human and material resources for the support of flood victims. The operations will be sustained as long as necessary to ensure that relief effectively reaches those affected by the disaster”.