Ndudi Anyim
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, has assured the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, of the readiness of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to rid Kaduna State and the Nation of banditry and all other forms of criminality.
The CAS, stated that the Air Force will be working in synergy with sister Services and other security agencies to achieve this.
Amao gave the assurance when he paid a courtesy call on the Governor on Wednesday, March 7, at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna.
Speaking during the visit, Air Marshal Amao informed the Governor of President Muhammadu Buhari’s marching order to the Service Chiefs to rid the entire Nation of all criminal elements, a task which, he said, the Services have sworn to execute expeditiously.
While thanking the Governor for his support to the NAF in Kaduna State, he commended Governor El-Rufai for his monumental developmental strides as well as his zeal towards solving the security challenges in the State.
In his remarks, Governor El-Rufai thanked the CAS for the visit and singled out NAF personnel in Kaduna for their professionalism, dedication and particularly for their integrity in all dealings with the Kaduna State Government.
He went further to state that, for a long time, Nigerians have taken peace and security for granted until the current spate of insecurity afflicting the Nation.
The governor called on all Nigerians to appreciate and support the efforts of the military as they continue to make efforts to keep the Nation safe.
According to him, ” the security situation could have been worse but for the efforts of our Armed Forces “.
The Governor also stated that he, along with Governors of the North West Zone, had agreed to assist the military, particularly in efforts at employing scientific measures towards containing insecurity.
On the payment of ransom to kidnappers, the Governor reiterated the resolve of his Government not to pay any ransom to bandits and kidnappers, saying: ” we will not pay a penny to any bandit ”.
He went further to state that despite the threats of kidnapping, schools would continue to remain open.
According to him, the decision to keep schools open was taken so as not to allow criminals to dictate the education of children in the State. He also noted that the ability of the military to swiftly respond to kidnapping further gives the State the confidence to keep schools open.
Earlier on, the CAS had toured units in NAF Base Kaduna, where he was briefed on ongoing operations within Kaduna and the North West Zone.
The CAS also held an interactive session with officers, airmen and airwomen of the Air Training Command (ATC) and co-located units in Kaduna, where he reiterated the need for jointness and cooperation with sister Services and other security agencies.