The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, has commended the Nigerian Air Force for intensifying its operational presence in the state, describing the move as a strategic step toward enhancing peace, strengthening investor confidence, and driving sustainable economic growth.
The Governor made the remarks during the high-impact operational visit of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, to Akwa Ibom State.
During a high-level engagement with the CAS, Governor Eno lauded the Nigerian Air Force for its proactive and mission-driven approach to security.
He noted that “the establishment and operationalisation of the 309 Composite Group, Eket, would significantly deter criminality, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, and reinforce stability across the State and the wider Niger Delta region.”
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to sustaining collaboration with the NAF, stressing that security remains the bedrock of economic development.
“The operationalisation of this unit is a major boost to peace, stability, and economic activities within Akwa Ibom State and the wider Niger Delta region,” the Governor stated.
The visit, which featured strategic engagements with key stakeholders and a comprehensive inspection of facilities at the 309 Composite Group, Eket, underscored the NAF’s intensified posture aimed at neutralising threats, protecting vital economic assets, and enabling sustained growth in the Niger Delta.
In his remarks, the CAS commended the Akwa Ibom State Government for its decisive support in fast-tracking the establishment of the unit, emphasising that the 309 Composite Group represents a critical forward operating base for enhanced intelligence, surveillance, and rapid response operations.
“The establishment of 309 Composite Group is a strategic step towards strengthening security and safeguarding vital economic assets that are central to Nigeria’s prosperity. We are fully committed to leveraging this platform to deliver decisive airpower effects in support of national security objectives,” CAS said.
At Eket, the CAS also engaged with the Paramount Ruler, HRM Edidem Charles D. Abia, and other stakeholders, where he called for strengthened civil-military cooperation as a force multiplier in ongoing operations.
He stressed that enduring security outcomes are rooted in trust, intelligence-sharing, and community partnership.
Earlier, during an inspection of facilities at the 309 Composite Group, the Air Officer Commanding Mobility Command, Air Vice Marshal MN Onyebashi, affirmed the unit’s growing operational capacity and readiness to execute assigned missions with precision, assuring that personnel remain fully aligned with the CAS’s directive to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, and operational effectiveness.
