Nigerian Air Force has commenced airlift missions to transport relief materials to victims of the recent flood disaster affecting Maiduguri and its surrounding communities in Borno State.
Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Group Captain Kabiru Ali, who made this known in a statement, explained that the materials, donated by the Nigerian Customs Service, are aimed at alleviating the suffering caused by the floods, which have disrupted daily life, destroyed properties, and displaced millions.
Group Captain Ali explained that this was in fulfillment of the NAF’s statutory role of providing military aid to civil authorities.
He added that the airlift missions commenced on 14 September 2024 and had the first batch of the relief items, comprising 300 bags of 50 kg rice, successfully delivered to NAF Base Maiduguri via the NAF C-130 Hercules aircraft.
The statement explained that 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.
Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, has however directed that these operations continue as needed, ensuring that both relief materials and medical aid reach all affected areas.
Reporter: Funmilola Adeyemi