Monday, August 11, 2025 - Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi has appealed to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to establish a base in the state to effectively tackle security challenges bedevilling the area.
He made the plea while receiving the Chief of the Air Staff
(CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar on a courtesy visit at Government House,
Birnin Kebbi.
The governor said the call became imperative in view of the
incursion of Lakurawa bandits from neighbouring countries of Niger and Benin
Republics as well as activities of bandits operating from neighbouring Sokoto,
Zamfara and Niger States.
He observed that Kebbi has an international airport which
can be used to aid the establishment of a NAF base to support the fight against
terrorism.
“Kebbi is strategic, because it shares borders with two
countries of Niger, and the Benin Republics.
“Before, the state used to be peaceful but with the
incursion of Lakurawa bandits from the neighbouring countries, the state began
to witness a series of attacks.
“Apart from Lakurawa, other bandits who also come from
Zamfara, Sokoto and Niger States carry out series of attacks on our people,
after striking, they go back to their hideouts in those neighbouring states, ”
he said.
The governor added that considering the gallant efforts of
the security operating in the state, his administration had purchased 85 Toyota
HILUX and distributed the same to the personnel to ease their job and boost
their morale.
Speaking on Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway project, in which
Kebbi takes lion share of it, Idris said the state government had procured 20
Toyota HILUX for patrol, to give the site engineers and other workers adequate
security to execute the project.
He observed that securing Kebbi was not only for the good of
the state alone but also for the security of other neighbouring states as well
as the borders linking Nigeria with other neighbouring nations.
The governor expressed satisfaction with the NAF for its
complementary role by responding to the state’s requests, especially in rescue
missions.
Earlier, the CAS, said ensuring peace in Kebbi was not only
vital to the state but to national security in view of its strategic location.
The air force boss said he was in Kebbi to review the
operational readiness of personnel in the state and to have first hand
information about their operations.
He lauded the security agencies for their efforts in
maintaining peace in the state and the Northwest region.
While emphasising the importance of security to human
existence, Abubakar said meaningful and successful development would not take
place in an unsecured environment.
The CAS solicited deeper and effective collaboration with
the Kebbi Government to secure the region
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