The Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has commended the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for the numerous roles the Service has played in ensuring that Bauchi State remains one of the most peaceful States in the Northeastern part of Nigeria. According to him, “the presence of the NAF in the State is reassuring. The Service has not only contributed to the security of lives and properties, but has helped in improving the economic wellbeing of the good people of the State”. These assertions were made today, 24 September 2019, by the Governor while on a courtesy call on the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, in his office at Headquarters NAF in Abuja.
Speaking further, Governor Bala expressed delight for the establishment of the Special Operations Command (SOC) and other NAF units in the State, which he said, had immensely complemented existing security arrangements in the State. According to him “I and my entourage are here today to express solidarity and appreciation to the CAS and the entire NAF leadership for the good work the Service has been doing, not only in Bauchi State, but the entire Country”. He added that the entire people of Bauchi State are proud of Air Marshal Abubakar and would continue to give the NAF the needed support to effectively carry out its constitutional roles.
While responding, Air Marshal Abubakar congratulated the Governor for his victory at the polls and expressed his delight and profound appreciation for the visit. He remarked that Bauchi State was strategic to the NAF and its operations in the Northeastern part of Nigeria. According to the CAS, this prompted the establishment of the SOC in 2016 to execute and coordinate special operations missions such as precision application of fire power; infiltration, re-supply and protection tasks in combat air support operations; Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) as well as Search and Rescue roles. The CAS added that, in a bid to expand its capacity and reduce the strain on facilities at the Regiment Training Centre (RTC) Kaduna to enable the training of more Regiment and Special Forces (SF) personnel, the Service had established an RTC Annex in Bauchi, where 300 personnel had already commenced training. He noted that an RTC Annex had also been established at Ipetu-Ijesha in Osun State, while another one would soon be established at Owerri in Imo State.
The CAS equally highlighted that the SOC was also particularly established to enhance NAF’s capability to support Internal Security operations across the Country as well as bring security closer to the Nigerian people. He noted that it was to this end that the SOC’s component units, which include Quick Response Groups/Wings and Forward Operating Bases at Gusau in Zamafara State, Agatu in Benue State, Brinin Gwari in Kaduna State, Ipetu-Ijesha in Osun State and Gembu in Taraba State, amongst others, had been established. He disclosed that the Regiment and SF personnel deployed to these units have continued to contribute significantly to security efforts at the various locations, working in synergy with personnel of the Nigerian Army (NA) and other security agencies. Air Marshal Abubakar reiterated the NAF’s wholehearted commitment to continue to work with other security agencies to ensure the security of Nigeria and Nigerians. Also in attendance during the visit were the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Alhaji Abubakar Kari, and other Bauchi State Government officials, as well as Branch Chiefs and other principal staff officers from Headquarters NAF.
IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information.
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