NAF Boosts
NAF Boosts Facilities for Troops in Agatu
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar,
has reiterated the relentless commitment of the Nigerian Air Force
(NAF) to adding value in the ongoing efforts to end communal
clashes, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality in
Benue State and its environs.
The CAS stated this today, 31 August 2020, during the
commissioning ceremony of newly constructed 10 x one bedroom
residential accommodation for Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) at
the 21 Quick Response Wing (21 QRW) in Agatu, Benue State.
Represented at the occasion by the Air Officer Commanding (AOC),
Special Operations Command (SOC), Air Vice Marshal Charles Ohwo,
the CAS disclosed that the newly constructed accommodation was
provided to create a conducive environment that would motivate the
personnel to perform optimally as well as reassure them that the
Service is sensitive to their welfare needs. He assured that the
Headquarters NAF would continue to support the Unit, while working
with other security agencies when the need arises, with the
deployment of helicopter gunships and other air assets in order to
be effective in ensuring that the people are safe and secure.
Speaking further, Air Marshal Abubakar recalled that the
nefarious activities of criminal elements, particularly in Agatu,
which had affected economic activities within the Zone,
necessitated the emplacement of highly-trained, well-equipped and
properly-quartered personnel to deal with the threats. He commended
the Unit for its current efforts to deal with communal clashes,
banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality in Benue State
and environs.
The CAS also used the occasion to express the gratitude of the
NAF to President Muhammadu Buhari for his continued support to the
Service. He assured that the NAF would continue to discharge its
constitutional responsibility of defending Nigeria’s territorial
integrity while ensuring respect for human rights. He furthermore
enjoined all personnel of the Unit to maintain the highest level of
personal and collective hygiene while abiding by the regulations
stipulated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and
other relevant authorities to curb the spread of COVID-19.
In his welcome address, the Commander 211 Quick Response Group
(211 QRG) Owerri, Group Captain Elisha Bindul, stated that the
commissioning would further motivate personnel of the 21 QRW to
continue putting in their best towards the attainment of the NAF’s
mission. According to him, the welfare project would not only ease
the accommodation deficiency in the Unit but also improve the
quality of services the personnel would provide. He therefore
assured the CAS of the Unit’s determination to continue to deal
decisively with militia groups, kidnappers and other forms of
criminality in Agatu and other parts of the Benue-Nasarawa
corridor.
Among dignitaries in attendance were the Chairman Agatu Local
Government Area, Honourable Suleiman Adoyi, as well as His Royal
Highness, the Adah of Agatu, Chief Godwin Onah Ngbede, who both
expressed appreciation to the CAS and the NAF for the establishment
of the 21 QRW, which, they said, had significantly enhanced
security in the area.
It would be recalled that the 21 QRW was established in 2018,
alongside 22 QRW Lafia, Nasarawa State and 23 QRW Gembu in Taraba
State, as a part of the CAS’ strategy aimed at responding to
national security imperatives by bringing security closer to the
people. The Unit’s major role is to further enhance the NAF’s
ability to respond to internal security threats within the
Benue-Nasarawa and Taraba States corridor, working in synergy with
sister Services and other security agencies within its Area of
Responsibility.
IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force
31 August 2020