Molly Kilete

The Nigerian Air Force(NAF) said it has established a Forward Operating Base (FOB), at Birnin Gwari village in Kaduna State to curb the incessant attacks and killings of innocent citizens of the state.

Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Chief Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, who made this known in Abuja, said the FOB, which is equipped with a helipad and a fuel dump would enable NAF fighter helicopters effectively patrol the area to rid bandits and other criminals terrorising people in the area.

Abubakar who spoke while declaring open the first quarter Chief of the Air Staff training conference in Abuja, also said NAF had established a Quick Response Unit in Agatu, Benue State and another at Gembu in Taraba State to tackle the security challenges in the areas.

Abubakar, while noting that NAF had trained over 1,000 special forces with the support of the British government, said 300 of these personnel were deployed to Zamfara, Benue and Gembu in Taraba states respectively.

To end the menace of bandits operating in Zamfara, Abubakar, said the activities of the group would come to an end as soon as the Agusta 109 power helicopter gunship from Italy arrives the country.

He said: “We are expecting the Augusta 109 power helicopter gunships from Italy which we expect the president to induct as soon as they arrive the country in a ceremony that will signify the renewed effort of the government to ensure there is security in the north-west zone particularly Zamfara, Sokoto and parts of Kaduna states where we have a new detachment that has been approved by the Air Council.

“That is the NAF detachment, Birnin Gwari.

“We have already provided landing facilities there for helicopters and we have also provided fuelling facilities for the aircrafts; so in terms of the acquisition, we are making substantial progress.”

He also said that NAF was working very closely with the multi-national joint task force elements to ensure “we deal with the threats of terrorism in the North East. The service will continue to work for the progress of the nation and its safety.”