Agbu Kefas, the governor of Taraba State, has urged the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to upscale surveillance and air interdiction to obliterate criminal elements on the porous Nigeria-Cameroun border.
The Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, said Kefas made the call during a courtesy visit to the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar.
Kefas said there was a need for improved collaboration with NAF in view of the various security challenges confronting the state, acknowledging the pivotal role NAF plays in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations, particularly in the northeast region.
According to him, NAF’s air power capabilities provide the most potent solution to curb the activities of terrorists and criminals operating in the northeast region which according to the governor necessitated enhanced cooperation to checkmate the criminal activities on the borders.
The governor also announced plans to reopen and upgrade the Suntai Airport, Jalingo, and his efforts aimed at checkmating illegal mining in the state.
The statement also quoted the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Abubakar as commending the governor for his developmental initiatives, especially agricultural transformation plans in view of the vast arable land in the state.
While appreciating the governor’s plans to reopen and upgrade the airport in Jalingo, Abubakar said that it would lead to the resumption of domestic flights, attract investors, and enable NAF platforms to operate and enhance its operations in Taraba and beyond.
The CAS also hailed the prohibition of mining activities in the state, saying that ending illegal mining activities would enable the state to harness the wealth beneath its soil, stressing that proper mining activities would discourage acts of criminality since it had become clear that illegal mining activities are directly linked to terrorism and banditry.
On the security risks around the border with Cameroun, Abubakar said the vast expanse of porous borderland measuring about 107 Kilometres which Taraba shares with the Republic of Cameroun had posed security threats to the state and the entire Nation.
He assured that the NAF would collaborate with the Taraba government in patrolling the vast border while also giving confidence to the people to thrive.
