The Kaduna State Government (KDSG) has commended the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for its immense contributions in the fight against insecurity and other forms of criminal activities in the state.
Mr Samuel Aruwan, the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, made the commendation on Thursday, on the occasion of the Chief of Air Staff lunch for NAF troops in various operations in Kaduna State.
Aruwan noted that the state had, for some times, been in the news over insecurity which made the government under the leadership of Malam Nasir El-Rufai to approach the military, for measures to be taken to protect lives and properties.
The commissioner cited the notable NAF responses which, he said, included the establishment of a base in Birnin Gwari, the 271 NAF Detachment, the commitment of the air component of Operation Thunder Strike, and the siting of a NAF Helipad at Katari, along the Kaduna-Abuja highway.
“I must also make mention of the tremendous commitment of Operation Badamamaki, there have also been several air interdictions conducted, resulting in numerous bandits being neutralized,” he said.
He added that the NAF deployment of Special Forces in Southern Kaduna, who are still on ground, also added tremendous impetus to the fight against insecurity and other forms of criminal activities in the state.
According to him, the state had constantly enjoyed maximum cooperation and support of the NAF higher authorities.
“This is evidenced by the deployments of the array of platforms in the state for the fight against banditry. Indeed, the Nigeria Air Force and other security agencies have been at the forefront of the fight against banditry in Kaduna State,” Aruwan said.
He, however, highlighted the long history of NAF in supporting internal security operations in Kaduna state which, according to him, characterized professionalism and dedication to service.
” For us in Kaduna State, we remain immensely proud of NAF and so we usually jokingly remark that we have two effective Air Force, one on the ground and the other in the air,” he said.
He commended the Chief of Air Staff for the foresight in creating such lunches for interaction with troops in a free and less tensed atmosphere.
Earlier, in his speech, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Air Training Command, AVM Musa Muktar, said the lunch was organised for the troops as a means of unwinding and interaction, as against the usual manner of always being at work or war.
“We also organised the lunch to cheer ourselves up and be grateful to the Almighty for sparing our lives to the end of the year,” he said.
He added that 2020 would be regarded as a year of remarkable activities which prompted the Chief of the Air Staff to organize the lunch to boost the morale of the troops and for them to have a sense of belonging.
Muktar, however, said in compliance with the COVID-19 guidelines, the number of troops present for the lunch was deliberately low.
“Decent meal has been prepared and organised for the troops at the forefront and will be sent to them in their respective locations,” he explained.
He called on the troops to remain focused, disciplined and obedient to constituted authorities.
“We pray soon that all of us will return home safely to our respective families; definitely the issue of insecurity is just a phase and we pray and hope for it to come to an end soon,” he said. (NAN)
