By Joy Odor
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, has assured residents of Kebbi State of the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF) readiness to protect lives and property, pledging intensified operations against criminal elements in the North-West.
During an operational assessment visit to the state on 10 August 2025, Air Marshal Abubakar inspected key military infrastructure, met with senior military commanders and heads of security agencies, and held discussions with Governor Mohammed Nasir Idris and the State Executive Council.
Highlighting Kebbi’s strategic significance, the CAS noted that the state’s shared borders with Benin and Niger, coupled with its vast rural terrain, demand heightened security vigilance.
“What affects Kebbi affects the entire North-West, and by extension, the peace and stability of our nation,” he said. “Our commitment is clear: we will locate and root out all criminal elements threatening the peace and safety of law-abiding citizens.”
Air Marshal Abubakar expressed satisfaction with the state’s existing security infrastructure, stating that NAF platforms are “well-positioned and capable of reaching every part of the state swiftly,” with intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations set to be intensified.
He also commended the Nigerian Army, Police, Department of State Services, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other agencies for their inter-agency cooperation in safeguarding the region.
Governor Idris lauded the Nigerian Air Force and other security outfits for keeping Kebbi largely peaceful despite challenges in the wider North-West.
He pledged his administration’s continued support, saying, “We are fully committed to working hand in hand with our security institutions to ensure Kebbi remains a bastion of peace and stability.”
The visit, according to NAF, reinforces its strategic focus on using air power, intelligence, and partnerships to secure Nigeria and sustain peace across the country.
