NAF to deploy quick response wing to northwest

From Molly Kilete, Abuja

The Nigerian Air Force(NAF), said it has concluded plans to deploy a Quick Response Wing(QRW), to curb activities of bandits in the Northwest zone of the country and enhance military presence in vulnerable communities.
Chief of Air Staff(CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, made this known while on an operational tour of the Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI and the 213 Forward Operating Base in Katsina. State.
He said with the establishment of the Quick Response Wing, to troops deployed in the zone will be on standby round the clock and ready to respond to emergencies.
The CAS, in a statement signed by the NAF, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information Group Captain Kabiru Ali, stated that the NAF has intensified airstrikes against terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements in the North-West.
During the tour, Air Marshal Abubakar paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Umar Radda, and commended him for his unwavering commitment to supporting the NAF and fostering a secure environment in Katsina State.
Speaking further, the CAS highlighted the significant progress made in securing the State, noting that the recent planting season was largely free from interference by bandits, a feat attributed to the Governor’s robust security measures. He also commended the Governor for establishing the Katsina Community Watch Corps and improving intelligence-sharing infrastructure in the state.
These initiatives, he stated, have been instrumental in enhancing the fight against banditry and ensuring a safer environment for residents. The CAS further assured Governor Radda of the NAF’s continued support in protecting farmers during the upcoming harvest season, emphasizing the importance of safe and productive agricultural activities to the Katsina State economy.
He stressed the need for a comprehensive strategy to achieve lasting peace, noting that kinetic actions alone cannot eliminate insurgency.
In his response, Governor Radda, while commending the NAF, for its unwavering support in ensuring peace and security in the state, commended the CAS for the recent successful air operations that have significantly reduced the threat of banditry, particularly during the critical planting season. He lauded the NAF’s commitment to enhancing security in the region and pledged continued collaboration with the military to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of the people of Katsina State. The Governor also expressed optimism that the planned farmer’s protection operations and increased military presence in vulnerable areas would foster a more secure environment for the upcoming harvest season.