Coronavirus: Nigeria airforce produces ventilators

The Nigeria Air Force Force (NAF) has disclosed that the ventilators locally fabricated by the force scientists are now ready for the treatment of coronavirus and other respiratory-related diseases.

Penpushing reports that, Chief of Air Staff,  Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, made this known while hosting a Sallah luncheon for frontline troops of the  of the force at the headquarters of Air Task Force Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri.

The Chief of Air Staff explained that the ventilators were jointly fabricated by the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and Nigeria Air Force (NAF), adding “whilst sustaining the fight against the seen enemy, NAF personnel must also maintain vigilance and ensure strict adherence to the guidelines and protocols to overcome COVID-19, which is the invisible enemy of humanity.”

Penpushing further reports that, Abubakar said  the authority  had distributed reusable face masks to all staff as well as Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and ventilators to the  Airforce  Hospital in Maiduguri.

“The NAF engineers, in collaboration with the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, had equally developed locally-produced emergency ventilators that had been tested and made ready for use, which would be unveiled during the week,” he added.

The Air Force boss also explained that the locally fabricated ventilators are meant to complement government’s effort in the fight against coronavirus,stressing, “the NAF, despite the challenges of competing demands for resources and the Covid-19 the induced  lockdown had through pragmatic logistics planning and foresight, maintained the tempo of its operations, not only in the North-east, but also in other parts of the country.”

Penpushing also reports that, he stressed the need for robust synergy among security agencies “to consolidate on the gains recorded in the fight against insurgency and other criminal activities in the country”.

“The contributions of Air Task Force Operation Lafiya Dole has shaped the war against insurgency in the North-east and provided freedom of action for the ground troops”, Abubakar added

“Working in synergy with sister services and other security agencies, (we) would continue to evolve new methods and emplace new strategies aimed at eliminating all forms of criminal elements in the country.”

“We have kept the pace in training of both air and ground crews, developed the regiment specialty to defend our bases and increased the force structure of the service, whilst building more accommodation and office infrastructure to cope with the growth’.

“Our units are flying the NAF flags across the country. The latest of these is in Lafia, where the 22 Quick Response Wing was recently activated with the injection of additional Special Forces (SF) personnel.”

Penpushing further reports that Abubakar disclosed that a new unit would soon be established in Damaturu, “where a helipad had been constructed along with refuelling facilities”, just as he disclosed as efforts to  boost the air component operations in the North-east, the Air Force NAF would within possible time get the Air Force flying in Damaturu

“We will make sure they have a refuelling facility and a force protection element in Damaturu so that our ground troops, should be able to refuel their aircraft in Damaturu and continue the fight without necessarily coming back to Maiduguri.”

The Air Chief of Staff while explaining the relevance of the luncheon,said, “these get-togethers foster comradeship and give us the opportunity to commend ourselves in the duty of securing our nation against criminal elements.”

Penpushing reports that the Bornu State Governor,Babagana Zulum in his reponse commended the authorities on its efforts “in the health and education sector of internally displaced persons in the state.”

The Governor who was the  special guest of honour at the Sallah luncheon  requested for further support in protecting farmers across the state during the coming farming season, adding,“we earnestly solicit the support of the Nigeria Air Force in terms of protection of our farmers to enable them to actively engage in this year’s farming season,”.