Military presence increased in Abia state on Friday following the formal commissioning of the Nigerian Air Force Administrative Complex in Umuahia, the state capital which was built and donated by the state governor Dr Alex Otti.

At the ceremony that the multi million naira facility was handed over by governor Otti to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Staff, Air Marshal Kelvin Aneke, in which the Defence Minister General Christopher Musa was in attendance, he ( governor) reiterated that the security of lives and property remains should be a fundamental right of every resident in the State.

Additionally, the governor announced allocation of 120 hectares of land at the Abia Airport under construction at Nsulu for the construction of a permanent Nigerian Air Force Base indicating that work on the Base will commence immediately on the completion of the Airport Runway, even as residential accommodation has been secured for the Air Force personnel in different parts of Umuahia to facilitate their commencing duties hitchfree.

He described the handover as a testament to the benefits of strong collaboration between the Federal Government and sub-national governments in advancing a shared security agenda, and that the completion and handover of the facility demonstrates his administration’s resolve to leave no stone unturned in protecting Abians and visitors alike from all forms of security threats.

“For us, the right to security for our people, whether they are residents or visitors, is non-negotiable, emphasizing

That it’s takeoff, which he said is “a dream come true,”

Has completed the presence of the nation’s armed forces in Abia alongside the Nigerian Army’s Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Barracks in Ohafia and the Nigerian Navy College of Accounts and Finance in Owerinta”, he stated

While welcoming the Nigerian Air Force to Abia and assuring that his administration shall give it support within the state capacity, the governor profoundly expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force for approving the Air Force presence in the State.

The Governor said his administration intends to partner with the Nigerian Air Force in education and human capital development, emphasizing that the

Indicating that the state relationship with the Air Force would extend beyond military collaboration to initiatives that would benefit the State’s younger population, governor Otti maintained that security remains the foundation upon which sustainable development is built, just as government’s investments in infrastructure, human capital development and economic opportunities are deliberate strategies to reduce crime and stimulate prosperity.

Expressing gratitute to the state, the elated Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Kelvin Aneke described the gesture as an unprecedented investment in national security that transcends politics.

“It goes far beyond bricks and mortar. It is a defining contribution to national defence and stability and a trailblazing legacy that will bear your name in the annals of Nigeria’s security architecture,” the Air Force Chief said.

“Indeed, these facilities will serve as a robust foundation for NAF operations in Abia, enabling us to discharge our constitutional mandates with greater efficiency and effectiveness,” Air Marshal Aneke stated.

“Our officers and personnel deployed to Abia had been adequately briefed to prioritise the safety and welfare of the people, and and assured that the Nigerian Air Force would give serious consideration to Governor Otti’s request for the establishment of a military training institution in the State.

Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Retd) in his remarks, commended the Governor Otti’s unwavering commitment to strengthening security through strategic investments ” he a leader whose actions speak louder than words”

He tasked the Air Force personnel deployed to Abia to make the State a better place. ” We don’t want to hear issues arising because of your presence, even as good things are already happening” he said.

A stakeholder in the state Mr Ken Kalu, tasked the Air Force to do the needful that would address insecurity, protect the residents, and not maltreat them, stating that their so would justify what the state has invested in the Force. (The Guardian)

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