The Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar has assured Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State of the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF) ongoing commitment to safeguarding farmers during the upcoming harvest season.
This support, the CAS emphasized, is crucial for ensuring the safety and productivity of agricultural activities, which are vital to the state’s economy.
In a statement, the CAS revealed that the NAF has intensified airstrikes against criminal elements in the North-West region and is working towards the deployment of a Quick Response Wing to bolster military presence in vulnerable communities. He underscored the importance of this increased security effort, particularly in rural areas prone to attacks by bandits and insurgents.
While highlighting the military’s kinetic actions, the CAS stressed the necessity of a comprehensive strategy to achieve lasting peace in the region. He pointed out that military operations alone cannot eradicate insurgency and called for a multi-faceted approach to address the root causes of violence and insecurity.
The NAF’s collaboration with Katsina State is part of broader efforts to restore peace and stability across the North-West, ensuring that communities can thrive, especially during critical periods like the harvest season.
Speaking further, the CAS highlighted the significant progress made in securing the State, noting that the recent planting season was largely free from interference by bandits, a feat attributed to the Governor’s robust security measures. He also commended the Governor for establishing the Katsina Community Watch Corps and improving intelligence-sharing infrastructure in the state. These initiatives, he stated, have been instrumental in enhancing the fight against banditry and ensuring a safer environment for residents.
Air Marshal Abubakar, undertook a 2-day operational tour of the Air Component (AC) of Operation HADARIN DAJI (OPHD) and 213 Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Katsina State, The visit highlights the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF) commitment to bolstering security efforts and strengthening collaboration with Katsina State in addressing the challenges of banditry and other insecurity in the North-West region. During the tour, Air Marshal Abubakar paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Umar Radda , at the Government House. The CAS expressed gratitude to the Governor for the warm reception, notwithstanding the short notice and Eid Maulud festivities.