AKSG Restates Partnership With NAF To Enhance Security In A’Ibom

By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
The Akwa Ibom government has reiterated its commitment to partner the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, to achieve success along the waterways in the State. 
The State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, who stated this recently, during a courtesy visit on him by a delegation from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), led by the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Mobility Command, Yenagoa, Air Vice Marshal Sunday Aneke, which took place at the Government House, Uyo, acknowledged and appreciated the cooperation and support of the Mobility Command to the State and also thanked the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, for his excellent, diligent and professional service to the country. 
Eno lauded NAF for its strategic collaboration with other security agencies in curbing insecurity, especially in States within the Mobility Command’s jurisdiction.
He highlighted the State’s effort in maintaining security, noting that all the security agencies in the State, including units of the Nigerian Air Force, have been working collaboratively, and that the synergy has enhanced the security of lives and property in the State.
Eno said the only missing link in the State was the lack of air assets which, according to him, was in the works, appealing for the continued support of the force in clearing creeks and isolated Islands of sea pirates and other criminals. 
He said, “As a State, we take security very seriously, and work with our security team. The commander knows that we work as a team to ensure that we keep our people safe because it is the primary responsibility of any responsible government. 
“The missing link that we had in the State had been the absence of air assets which, of course, by the grace of God, had been created now with a base in Eket. 
“The State government has already earmarked land for the adjourning barracks to show you the level of our cooperation. With that, we will be able to support air operations there so that we can continue to work together,” he said.
The team lead, Aneke, expressed gratitude to the governor for the support, contribution and collaboration the command has enjoyed from the State government, acknowledging that the State and the force have remained strategic partners for years, and that this has yielded immeasurable peace and stability as well as economic growth for the State and its people. 
He said the NAF was committed  to continuously work closely with the State government to ensure safety of lives and property in the State, explaining that his visit to the State as the 17th AOC of the Command, was in line with the force’s long held tradition to pay homage and respect to the owners of the land on assumption of office in a new domain. 
Aneke thanked Akwa Ibom people for peacefully playing host to the force since the establishment of the Nigerian Air Force Comprehensive Secondary School in 1999 in the State, describing the school as one of the best Air Force schools in Nigeria, based on its numerous achievements.
In the delegation were: Comd 305 Special Mobility Group, Air Comd C. E. Illo, representative of the Comd, Air Force Comprehensive Secondary School, Flight Lieutenant, F. A. Chidozie; Flying Officer  F. J. Musa; Aide De Camp to the AOC, Flight Lieutenant J. G. Lar and the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Squadron Leader O. V. Okoroafor.