By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Governor of Taraba State, Dr Kefas Agbu has cried to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to help his administration curtail the rampaging activities of terrorists and bandits in the state.
The Governor also sought NAF’s intervention in patrolling the porous border the State shares with Cameroon, which has been the route used by criminals in and out of the State.
Dr Agbu equally informed the CAS of his plans to reopen and upgrade the Suntai Airport as well as his efforts at checkmating illegal mining activities in the State.
This is as, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, assured the Governor that the NAF would collaborate with his Government in patrolling the vast border while also giving confidence to Tarabans to thrive.
Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, in a statement, said that the Governor made this appeal when the Governor led a delegation to the NAF headquarters in Abuja.
Governor Kefas acknowledged the pivotal role NAF plays in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations, particularly in the northeast region.
He added that NAF’s air power capabilities provide the most potent solution to curbing the activities of terrorists and criminals operating in the northeast region, hence the need for enhanced cooperation to checkmate the activities of these criminals, particularly in Taraba State.
In his response, Air Marshal Abubakar commended Governor Kefas for his developmental initiatives, especially his agricultural transformation plans given the vast arable land in the State as well as his educational and skills development programmes which will no doubt assist in getting the teaming youths employed thereby reducing crimes.
The CAS also expressed delight at the Governor’s plan to reopen and upgrade the Suntai Airport in Jalingo as this will not only lead to the resumption of domestic flights and attract investors but also enable NAF platforms to operate and enhance its operations in Taraba and beyond.
Air Marshal Abubakar commended the Governor for signing the Executive Order prohibiting illegal mining activities in the State.
According to the CAS, “Putting an end to illegal mining activities will enable Taraba State to harness the wealth beneath its soil as well as discourage acts of criminality since it has now become clear that illegal mining activities are directly linked to terrorism and banditry.”
On the security risks posed by the extensive border Taraba shares with Cameroun, the CAS informed the Governor that he was not unmindful of the vast expanse of porous borderland measuring about 107 Km which Taraba State shares with the Republic of Cameroun and the security threats that this poses for Taraba and indeed the entire Nation.
