The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 commenced the airlift of electoral materials for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in preparation for the upcoming Edo State Governorship Election.
Group Captain Kabiru Ali, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information for the NAF, confirmed the successful commencement of the operation, emphasizing the importance of timely delivery of electoral materials to facilitate the upcoming elections.
He said the airlift operation, involving NAF transport aircraft, is part of efforts to ensure the timely and secure delivery of election materials to various locations across the state.
Ali added that the operation follows the earlier assurance made by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, during a recent meeting with INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. During the meeting, Air Marshal Abubakar reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to supporting INEC by providing logistical assistance, including the use of its aircraft for the swift transportation of sensitive materials, as has been done in previous elections.
The airlift demonstrates the NAF’s dedication to its constitutional role of offering Military Aid to Civil Authority (MACA), ensuring the smooth conduct of democratic processes. The Nigerian Air Force, under its public relations office, expressed readiness to continue collaborating with civil institutions like INEC in the interest of national security and democracy.
