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From Rose Ejembi and Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi
The new Air Officer Commanding, AOC, Tactical Air Command, TAC, of the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, Makurdi, AVM Precious Amadi has expressed the service’s commitment to peaceful coexistence with its host communities in Benue state.
AVM Amadi made this pledge on Wednesday, when he led a delegation of officers from the command on a courtesy visit to Governor Samuel Ortom at the Government House, Makurdi.
The AOC also pledged to synergize with the Benue state government in its efforts towards combating all forms of security challenges confronting the state
He said the Nigerian Airforce was committed to peace with the host community, especially with regards to issues concerning encroachment on its land.
Recall that an agreement was reached in 2020 providing for the Nigerian Air Force Makurdi to cede 850 hectares of land out of the disputed land covering 4000 hectares to the Ugondo community.
AVM Amadi informed the Governor that there has been further encroachment on the land, especially on the runway by the host community.
He appealed to Governor Ortom to expedite the process for issuance of a certificate of occupancy to NAF TAC for it to continue construction of perimeter fence to properly secure the land.
He explained that he came to pay homage to the Governor as it was customary since assuming posting as the new Air Officer Commanding saying he would do all within his powers to ensure that the Command coexist peacefully with the host community.
Amadi noted that the Tactical Air Command is the fighting arm of the Nigerian Airforce with the main objective to deliver firepower through the air against all adversaries to protect the nation from bandits, terrorists, insurgents and fulfill other security objectives.
“As a security formation, one of our top priorities is to support the Benue state government to confront the current security challenge bedeviling the state and the region in particular,” he said.
Responding, Governor Samuel Ortom urged the Nigerian Air Force not to renege on the agreement to concede the hectares of land contained in the standing peace agreement, brokered by the state government.
On the complaint from the new AOC on further encroachment on the land belonging to the Command, Governor Ortom directed the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals to hasten the process for the issuance of certificate of occupancy to NAF.
He stated that he was ready to sign the certificate of occupancy based on the agreement reached with NAF so that issues at stake could be resolved amicably.
The Governor who blamed the ongoing dispute on the ambiguous manner with which lands were allocated by the early governments, however, expressed readiness that his administration would put the records straight to prevent further altercations between the Airforce and the host community.
While congratulating AVM Amadi on his elevation as the Air Officer Commanding of the NAF Tactical Air Command, Ortom lauded the military formation for living up to its expectation for the protection of lives and property just as he pledged to continue to work with the command and other Federal Government establishments to make the state safe for all.
