The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, has assured the Governor of Kaduna state, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, of the readiness of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to rid the state and the nation of banditry and all other forms of criminality, working in synergy with sister Services and other security agencies.
Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Commodore E.K Gabkwet who stated this in a statement Wednesday, said Amao made the commitment when he paid a courtesy call on the Governor.
He said the commitment is in line with President Mohammadu Buhari’s marching order to the Service Chiefs to rid the entire nation of all criminal elements.
Speaking, the Governor El-Rufai reiterated the resolve of his government not to pay any ransom to bandits and kidnappers, saying schools will remain open.
“we will not pay a penny to any bandit. The decision to keep schools open was taken so as not to allow criminals to dictate the education of children in the state,” he said
He also noted that the ability of the military to swiftly respond to kidnapping further gives the state the confidence to keep schools open.
He said for a long time, Nigerians have taken peace and security for granted until the current spate of insecurity afflicting the nation.
He called on all Nigerians to appreciate and support the efforts of the military as they continue to make efforts to keep the nation safe.
“The security situation could have been worse but for the efforts of our Armed Forces,” he said.
He said he, along with Governors of the North-west Zone, had agreed to assist the military, particularly in efforts at employing scientific measures towards containing insecurity.
