The Honourable Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has called on the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to intensify efforts to secure Nigeria’s airspace and eliminate insecurity, particularly in the troubled North-West region.
The Minister made this charge during his visit to the 213 Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Katsina State.
While addressing NAF personnel, Minister Abubakar highlighted ongoing initiatives to strengthen air operations, stating, “We are deploying additional platforms, including attack helicopters and drones, to enhance your capabilities and eliminate bandits and terrorists.”
He emphasized the government’s commitment to providing the resources needed to support this mission, expressing confidence that enhanced airpower would play a decisive role in achieving security in the region.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s dedication to ending insecurity, Minister Abubakar relayed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s satisfaction with the progress made by the armed forces.
He reassured the troops of sustained support, saying, “Mr. President is pleased with your progress and will provide necessary equipment and support your welfare.” The Minister pressed for urgency, urging personnel to “end insecurity now.”
Earlier, the Minister visited FOBs in Zurmi and Gurbi Baure, where he commended officers and personnel for their dedication and recent successes in combating insecurity.
“I have seen you, you are all charged. And the progress we are recording so far indicates that you have the capacity and the will to end it,” he said, expressing optimism that recent advances would lead to a swift resolution to security challenges.
Minister Abubakar also acknowledged the collaborative efforts of Katsina and Zamfara States in supporting federal security initiatives.
He noted that a recent meeting with the governors of both states and the National Security Adviser focused on strategies to enhance security in the North-West.
“With the support of the states and the public, and the leadership of the new command, I am confident that we will soon end insecurity in the region,” he stated.
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