The Nigerian Air Force says it has concluded plans to establish another Forward Operation Base in the Funtua Senatorial Zone of Katsina State. It is in a renewed effort to stamp out banditry in the Northwest and parts of the Northcentral region by the Federal Government.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, during an assessment tour of the Base, said it will limit the human resources and time wasted by the Air Force to respond to any possible threats by the bandits as quickly as possible.
The land which is 32 hectares in size is located at Gwauruwa village in the Funtua Area Council of Katsina State. It served as an airstrip during the second world war.
The Chief of Air Staff assured that work will commence as soon as possible, to effectively nip in the bud, any threats perceived in the zone, spanning the Northwest and parts of the Northcentral region.
He noted that when the base becomes operational, it will save time and cost, as the Nigerian Air Force has been operating from Katsina town to different locations.
The Air Chief further stressed that, though the security agencies are capable of dealing with security challenges bedeviling the country, all hands need to be on deck, to effectively fight the menace, by way of collaborative efforts.
While taking the Air Chief round the area marked for the project, the Head of Funtua Local Government Administration, Umar Mustapha, said the state government is set to begin payment of compensation to the farmers whose farmlands have been acquired.
Similarly, the District Head of Funtua, Sambo Idris, on behalf of the people of the area, assured of their cooperation with the Nigerian Air Force, for the success and operationalization of the project.
