Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi, on Sunday, appealed to the Nigerian Air Force to establish a base in the state to effectively tackle security challenges bedevilling the area.
He made the plea while receiving the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar on a courtesy visit at Government House, Birnin Kebbi.
The governor said the call became imperative given the incursion of the Lakurawa bandits from neighbouring countries of Niger and the Benin Republic, as well as activities of bandits operating from neighbouring Sokoto, Zamfara and Niger States.
He observed that Kebbi has an international airport, which can be used to aid the establishment of an NAF base to support the fight against terrorism.
He said, “Kebbi is strategic, because it shares borders with two countries of Niger, and the Benin Republics.
“Before, the state used to be peaceful but with the incursion of Lakurawa bandits from the neighbouring countries, the state began to witness a series of attacks.
“Apart from Lakurawa, other bandits who also come from Zamfara, Sokoto and Niger states carry out a series of attacks on our people. After striking, they go back to their hideouts in those neighbouring states.”
The governor added that considering the gallant efforts of the security operating in the state, his administration had purchased 85 Toyota HILUX and distributed the same to the personnel to ease their job and boost their morale.
Speaking on the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway project, in which Kebbi takes the lion’s share of it, Idris said the state government had procured 20 Toyota HILUX for patrol, to give the site engineers and other workers adequate security to execute the project.
He observed that securing Kebbi was not only for the good of the state alone but also for the security of other neighbouring states as well as the borders linking Nigeria with other neighbouring nations.
The governor expressed satisfaction with the NAF for its complementary role by responding to the state’s requests, especially in rescue missions.
Earlier, the CAS said ensuring peace in Kebbi was not only vital to the state but to national security given its strategic location.
The air force boss said he was in Kebbi to review the operational readiness of personnel in the state and to have first-hand information about their operations.
He lauded the security agencies for their efforts in maintaining peace in the state and the Northwest region.
While emphasising the importance of security to human existence, Abubakar said meaningful and successful development would not take place in an unsecured environment.
The CAS solicited deeper and effective collaboration with the Kebbi Government to secure the region.
NAN
