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By Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
Kebbi State Governor Dr Nasir Idris has sought a permanent Nigerian Air Force operational base in the state to curb the infiltration of Lakurawa terrorists and bandits into the state.
Idris stated this while addressing the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, and his team, who paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Birnin Kebbi.
The Governor noted that the state has partnered with various security agencies by providing vehicles and other logistics to ease their operations, which have reduced insecurity in some parts of the state.
He explained that during terrorist attacks, aircraft are important to neutralise the Lakurawa when ground troops are battling them.
According to him, “We are ready to partner with you as we partner with the Nigerian Army. Because of the insecurity situation in Niger Republic and Benin Republic, we need the Air Force Base in Kebbi because we have our airport, and it is one of the best in the Northwest and Northern Nigeria.
“As a responsible government, we cannot be folding our arms and watching our people face security challenges. We must partner with you.”
Idris informed the Chief of the Air Staff that Kebbi State shares borders with Niger Republic and Benin Republic, where the Lakurawa terrorists are very active, stressing that the terrorists usually attack towns and villages in Kebbi from Sokoto, Zamfara, and Niger State, where they have their cells.
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He disclosed that, on many occasions, aircraft have assisted ground troops to neutralise many bandits, adding that if they have a permanent base in the state, it would help the soldiers a lot.
“So, Chief of the Air Staff, we want to appeal to you, you should look at the possibility of setting up a base in Kebbi State.”
Earlier, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, informed the Governor that he was in the state to assess the security situation and how their special operations forces are performing in the state.
He noted that Kebbi State is a strategic state in the country in the areas of agriculture, economy, and development, stressing that by sharing boundaries with two countries and being part of the Northwest states, the state could not be left alone with the current insecurity challenges.
“Therefore, we have concern over the attacks of Lakurawa in the state, and if we don’t checkmate them now, they will disrupt the peace and development Kebbi State is known for, for a long time.”
Abubakar commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating an enabling environment for the Nigerian Air Force with the purchase of more aircraft, alongside existing ones, for effective service to the country.
He declared the readiness of the Nigerian Air Force to partner with Kebbi State to curb insecurity in the state and Nigeria at large.
