Finally, Niger Gov
Finally, Niger Gov Seeks Airforce to Combat Armed
Banditry, Insecurity in the State
The Executive Governor of Niger State, His Excellency Dr
Abubakar Sani Bello, has requested for the support of the Nigerian
Air Force (NAF) in tackling issues of armed banditry and kidnapping
in the State.
The Governor made the request today, 16 September 2019, while
paying a courtesy call on the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air
Marshal Sadique Abubakar, in his office at Headquarters NAF
Abuja.
The Governor, who attributed the increasing insecurity in the
State to the recent influx of armed bandits from the Northwest,
stated that about 1,000 villagers had so far been displaced from
their homes.
He noted that the bandits have taken advantage of the vast
forests in some parts of the State to set up camps, while their
mode of operation has changed from armed robbery to cattle rustling
and, more recently, to kidnapping.
The Governor, who was accompanied on the visit by the Permanent
Secretaries of the Ministries of Livestock and Education, stated
further that the bandits had destroyed communities as well as means
of livelihood of the people in the State.
While commending the CAS for his consistent support and various
contributions towards the security of lives and properties of
Nigerians, the Governor reiterated the need for the NAF to deploy
some of its air assets for air reconnaissance and other duties to
address the dire security situation in the State, especially given
the difficult terrain in the affected areas, which impedes
ground-based movement of security forces. He added that it would be
impossible to return IDPs to their villages without providing them
with adequate security.
In his response, the CAS noted that the NAF was not unaware of
recent developments in Niger State and had already commenced plans
to take necessary action to address the problem. He said the
Service, in coordination with other security agencies, would work
closely with the Niger State Government to deal with the emerging
security challenges in the State. He particularly assured the
Governor of NAF’s readiness to deploy additional personnel, along
with some air assets, to beef up the existing arrangements at the
013 Quick Response Force (013 QRF) Headquarters in Minna.
Air Marshal Abubakar emphasized that the Service does not
require anything from the Government and people of Niger State
other than timely intelligence on the activities of the armed
bandits and other criminal elements, remarking that all resources
required for the conduct of the NAF’s operations had been provided
by the Federal Government. He added that the NAF has always been a
part of the internal security arrangements in the State and would
not relent in its efforts to ensure that relative peace is restored
to Niger State and other troubled parts of the country.
IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force