Counter-Insurgency: NAF
Counter-Insurgency: NAF Plans Deployment of Special
Forces to Gombe
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is set to deploy air assets as well
as NAF Regiment and Special Forces (SF) personnel to Gombe State in
the North East Zone of the Country to beef up already existing
security arrangements in the fight against insurgency and other
related crimes in the State and Zone. This was made known today, 11
August 2020, by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal
Sadique Abubarkar, while playing host to the Executive Governor of
Gombe State, His Excellency (Alhaji) Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, at
Headquarters NAF Abuja.
Speaking during the visit, the CAS noted that the NAF, in
conjunction with sister Services and other security agencies, would
continue to work tirelessly, round the clock, to secure the North
East and defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity whilst ensuring the
Nation’s sovereignty is not undermined by any group of individuals.
He appreciated the laudable gesture of the Gombe State Government
in providing 230 Hectares of Land to the NAF for the establishment
of a Forward Operating Base (FOB) which, he said, clearly showed
the Governor’s commitment towards ensuring that the good people of
Gombe State and indeed the entire North East are secured. The CAS
remarked that the NAF had flown an unprecedented 26,200 operational
hours in the Counter-Insurgency operations in the North East, all
to ensure the protection of the people and enable them pursue their
legitimate aspirations without fear. Air Marshal Abubakar further
reiterated that Nigeria was destined for greatness and no
individual or group of individuals would be allowed to undermine
its destiny.
Speaking further, the CAS noted that, since 2015, the NAF had
significantly increased its presence in the North East to meet
national security imperatives. “We now have the Headquarters of the
Special Operations Command as well as a Reference Hospital and the
201 Composite Group located in Bauchi. We will also soon flag-off
the construction of an aircraft hangar in Bauchi to enhance
aircraft maintenance activities within the North East Theatre.
Apart from Bauchi State, we have also established a small unit in
Damaturu, Yobe State to allow us have a wider reach for our air
operations. In Taraba State, we have a Quick Response Wing that is
located in Gembu, an area that has suffered from farmers/herders
clashes, which started about 2 years ago. The Unit, which is made
up of NAF Regiment and SF personnel, has been adding value to the
security situation in that general area. From what I have said, you
can see that we are virtually everywhere in the North East. We
recently emplaced a standard aircraft hangar in Maiduguri to
improve aircraft maintenance capability. So, Your Excellency, we
are highly committed to ensuring that our people are secured,
because we believe, just like you mentioned, that without security
there cannot be development”, he added. Air Marshal Abubakar also
informed the Governor that a NAF Team would return to Gombe in the
next few days to commence work on the emplacement of the necessary
preliminary infrastructure for the take-off of the FOB. He noted
that, as customary, the NAF would, in the long run, establish
medical facilities and schools at the Base in Gombe.
Earlier in his remarks, Governor Yahaya commended the CAS for
the bold step taken to establish the NAF FOB in Gombe State. He
also thanked the CAS for the NAF’s consistent support and
contributions towards securing the lives and properties of
Nigerians in the North Eastern States. He emphasized that Gombe’s
central location would be an advantage in enhancing the NAF’s
operations in the North East. He noted however that the State
shares borders with Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic, which, he
said, makes it vulnerable to a range of security threats. According
to him, “Gombe State is blessed with Solid Minerals, Oil and Gas,
and other natural resources. This has given rise to influx of
people into the State which calls for more security concern. These
resources cannot be harnessed until the lives and properties of the
people of Gombe State are well secured.” He assured the CAS, that
the State Government would provide necessary support for the smooth
take-off of the FOB as well as ensure that the personnel that would
be deployed to Gombe State are adequately taken care of.
Before departing HQ NAF, Governor Yahaya was led by the CAS to
the NAF Memorial Arcade to pay his respects to aircrew who had paid
the supreme price in the course of duty.
Also present during the courtesy visit were the Senator
representing Gombe North, Distinguished Senator Sa’idu Ahmed
Alkali, as well as some senior Gombe State Government officials and
Principal Staff Officers of the NAF Headquarters.
IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force
11 August 2020