By Beauty John, LAFIA
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has deployed special forces to Lafia, Nasarawa state to help fight against insecurity in the state and the entire North Central zone.
The Nasarawa State governor, Abdullahi Sule was present at the Cargo airport in Lafia, on Sunday to receive the troops.
The Lafia cargo airport will serve as an operational base for NAF 22 Quick Response Command for the North Central zone with immediate effect.
The troops were deployed to tackle the emerging security challenges, such as banditry, cattle rustlings and farmers and herders clash in Nasarawa State and the North Central Zone.
Gov. Sule applauded president Muhammadu Buhari, for his quick response to the security challenges in the zone.
According to the governor, the response came timely as it is barely three days since he called for help from the federal government. He assured the troops that the state will do all that is needed to support them in carrying out their duties.
Also speaking , the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, charged them to be professional in their conduct.
“I urge you to be professional and uphold the core NAF values of integrity, service before self and excellence in all you do,”he said.
Abubakar, represented by AVM Charles Ohwo, the Air Officer Commanding Special Operations Command, told the Special Forces that they were deployed to complement and add value to the already existing security apparatus on ground.
“You must cooperate with Operation Whirl Stroke. Your deployment is not only for Lafia, but for the North -Central,” he stated.
The air chief appreciated the state government for providing such facility that aided the establishment of the 22 Quick Response Wing in Lafia, and appealed that a refueling facility should be provided, to enable helicopters easy access for refueling as they advance for operations.
