Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, on Monday said that the relative peace and tranquility being enjoyed within the State and environs is partly attributed to the effective collaborative instincts deployed by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and other security agencies in the State.
Senator Mohammed, who spoke when he played host to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar at Government House, Bauchi, also singled out NAF’s air power support in checkmating the activities of criminal elements in flashpoints such as Alkaleri, Tafawa Balewa and Ningi.
The Governor further noted the importance of good governance in curbing the multifaceted security challenges confronting Nigeria, said that the security situation has been exacerbated by the near absence of local government administration in most States of the federation.
Governor Mohammed stated that “the ineffective local government administration has also given rise to ungovernable spaces, especially in the North, thereby enabling criminals to hide as they continue in their nefarious activities. The need for local government administrations to be given the relevance they deserve is thus important.”
Earlier, the CAS, Air Marshal Abubakar, had recognized and applauded the Governor’s uncommon determination to enshrine enduring development in the State through infrastructural development and investments in agricultural projects such as the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) project.
According to a statement on the visit by NAF Spokesperson, AVM Edward Gabkwet, the Chief of Air Staff went on to note that the SAPZ project was a welcomed initiative that will provide opportunities for food and job security as well as increase the contribution of agriculture to the State’s Gross Domestic Product and reduce criminality in the State.
The CAS also took out time to visit the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji (Dr) Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu, who praised the Special Operations Command (SOC) for undertaking free medical outreaches in the State.