The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it is deploying Special Forces unit to Gombe State to improve security in the north while ensuring that the territorial integrity of Nigeria was not undermined.
Speaking during a courtesy visit on Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya in Gombe, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said the Nigerian Air Force had made substantial progress in constructing roads and accommodation for airmen and officers to ensure that the base took off soonest.
He also gave the assurance that the Nigerian Air Force, in collaboration with sister services would continue to do everything possible to ensure that the territorial integrity of Nigeria and its national sovereignty was not undermined by criminals.
“We will continue working round-the-clock to make sure that Nigeria is secure and people are able to go about pursuing their legitimate aspirations without fears,’’ he said.
Air Marshal Abubakar also gave farmers in the state the assurance that those whose crops were destroyed in the course of constructing the NAF base that they would be compensated, because steps had already been taken in that regard.
He said efforts were on to activate the 203 Combat Reconnaissance Base in Gombe State because the Nigerian Air Force had sent more than 71 of its personnel to China, where they were currently on special training.
The Chief of Air Staff said all the personnel who had been in China for about four months were expected back in the country by next week and would be relocated to Gombe State.
He said that the NAF Base in Gombe State was strategic not only in the fight against insurgency but “also in the fight against banditry and other criminal activities in the north. We are very excited that we are going to have this unit activated.’’
On his part, Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya commended the Chief of Air Staff and Nigerian Air Force for their efforts in ensuring the speedy completion of the base to strengthen security in the North East Zone and the country as a whole.
Governor Yahaya said the establishment of the base in the state would also help the fight against insecurity in the country, which would ultimately lead to improved economy of the country.
He said Gombe State and its people were ready and willing to accept strategies that would help achieve peace for the needed peace and development in the country.
The Gombe State Governor gave the Nigerian Air Force the assurance that the state government would continue to support them so that they could succeed in tackling the security challenges in Nigeria.
Zainab Sa’id
