By Bavoriat Clara
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, has restated the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF) unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives, property, and the nation’s territorial integrity. He made this known on 10 August 2025 during an operational assessment visit to Kebbi State aimed at strengthening regional security and reassuring citizens of NAF’s readiness to defend the country.
According to a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the visit featured high-level engagements with senior military commanders, heads of other security agencies, and an inspection of strategic military infrastructure in the state. These activities, he said, highlighted NAF’s capacity to respond swiftly and decisively to emerging threats in the North-West region.
During a courtesy call on Governor Mohammed Nasir Idris and members of the Kebbi State Executive Council, Air Marshal Abubakar underscored the strategic importance of the state in Nigeria’s security architecture. He noted that Kebbi shares international borders with the Republics of Benin and Niger and has vast rural terrains that require heightened security vigilance.
“What affects Kebbi affects the entire North-West, and by extension, the peace and stability of our nation,” the CAS stated. “Our commitment is clear: we will locate and root out all criminal elements threatening the peace and safety of law-abiding citizens. Nigeria must be secure for development to thrive.”
Air Marshal Abubakar commended the readiness of troops and the effectiveness of security infrastructure in the state, describing the facilities and personnel he met as highly impressive. He disclosed that NAF platforms were well-positioned to reach any part of Kebbi quickly, adding that intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations would be intensified.
He also praised the synergy among security agencies in the state, including the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. “Their dedication is making a real difference, and NAF will continue to support them with air power and strategic coordination,” he affirmed.
In his remarks, Governor Idris expressed deep appreciation to the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies for their tireless dedication to safeguarding lives and property. He attributed Kebbi’s relative peace, despite the complex security challenges in the North-West, to the vigilance and sacrifices of the nation’s security forces.
The governor pledged his administration’s continuous support for the Air Force and sister agencies, assuring, “We are fully committed to working hand in hand with our security institutions to ensure Kebbi remains a bastion of peace and stability.”
The operational visit, according to NAF, reinforced its strategic resolve to employ air power, intelligence, and multi-agency partnerships to guarantee the safety and security of all Nigerians.
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