UN calls for Nigerian Air Force helicopters in Darfur

Professor Ibrahim Gambari, Head of United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)

UN calls for Nigerian Air Force helicopters in Darfur
Barth Ikiebe, Abuja.

The Head of United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), Professor Ibrahim Gambari, has requested for the deployment of Nigerian Air Force Helicopters to Darfur Mission.

He made the appeal while on a courtesy visit to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar in Abuja.

Professor Gambari stated that as a Nigerian and head of the largest United Nations Peace Support Operations in the world, he required the presence of Nigerian Air Force helicopters to provide the full complement of the Darfur mandate.

“Nigerian Air Force presence will be most beneficial in the area of medical evacuation and fast and versatile mobility of United Nations peacekeepers and officials in Darfur,” he explained.

The Darfur mission

Professor Gambari, who is the Joint Special Representative in Dafur, noted that he was in Nigeria to solicit for more Nigerian government support as the largest contributing nation to the Darfur Mission which currently has over 31,000 troops from different countries.

He said: “I have held very useful discussions with the Honourable Minister of Defence on the need for Nigeria to continue to ensure that its peace keepers are properly selected, trained and well equipped before they are deployed to mission areas”.

The head of UNAMID also offered to send a small team of officers to assist the Armed Forces of Nigeria on how to continue to meet the United Nations contingent own equipment  standards.  

Quest for excellence

While commending the Nigerian Air Force for its giant strides and professionalism, Professor Gambari reiterated his commitment to Nigeria’s quest for permanent membership of the United Nations.

In his words, “I have been in the UN for 21 years, having served 5 different Heads of States, my priority now is working to ensure that Nigeria becomes a permanent member of the United Nations”.

In his response, the Chief of Air Staff assured Professor Gambari of the Nigerian Air Force readiness to assent to his request, stating that Nigeria is already making efforts to deploy some helicopters and other possible air assets to Darfur.

Air Marshal Umar informed the Special Representative that the Nigerian Air Force would remain steadfast in its quest for excellence and in supporting the fast mobility of the Nigerian Armed Forces in all mission areas.

Our Defence Correspondent reports that the mission needs over 30 helicopters in Darfur.

Williams