The Cross River Government and Nigerian Air Force have pledged to deepen collaboration in the provision of security infrastructure to securing strategic infrastructure and high-risk areas.
By Christian Njoku
The Cross River Government and Nigerian Air Force have pledged to deepen collaboration in the provision of security infrastructure to securing strategic infrastructure and high-risk areas.
This commitment was made at courtesy visit to Gov. Bassey Otu by Air Vice Marshal Sunday Anake, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Mobility Command of the Nigerian Air Force, Yenagoa, on Thursday in Calabar.
Otu, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr Peter Odey, described his administration as “military-friendly” while commending all security agencies for their roles in maintaining peace and stability in the state.
According to him, the state is building a new economy that will attract investments and tourists, adding that it needed to secure such area as the Bakassi Deep Seaport to the African Development Bank’s Agricultural Project in Tinapa.
“I acknowledge the recent joint security operations, including the clearance of criminal elements from the waterfront areas and appeal for future aerial support in difficult terrain where naval access is limited.
“The Nigerian Navy is finding it difficult to access some of the creek areas due to narrow tunnels, we believe that a bit of air intervention, which only you can provide, will help us fully secure these zones,” he noted.
The governor also pledged the state government’s support in upgrading the Nigerian Air Force Primary School in Calabar, describing it as a necessary investment in quality education for military and civilian children alike.
On his part, Anake commended the state government for its infrastructural development and even at the Air Force base in Calabar which has completely transformed the state.
While emphasising the NAF’s commitment to security in the South-South geo-political, he announced that surveillance and reconnaissance flights would soon be intensified over sensitive areas of the state.
“Our mission is clear, any time, any weather, just give us a call and we will respond with military precision; We are here not just to take from government, but to give full cooperation,” he assured.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the visit underscores the importance of inter-agency synergy in tackling issues such as cultism, oil bunkering and kidnapping, threats that have previously disrupted peace in the zone. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)