Special Forces Operatives of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) were on Sunday deployed to Nasarawa to boost internal security in the state and the Northcentral.

They were seconded to tackle the emerging security challenges, such as banditry, cattle rustling and farmers and herders clash.

Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), who addressed the troops in Lafia, urged them to be professional in their conduct.

“I urge you to be professional and uphold the core NAF values of integrity, service before self and excellence in all you do,” he said.

Abubakar, represented by AVM Charles Ohwo, the Air Officer Commanding Special Operations Command, told the Special Forces that they were deployed to complement and add value to the already existing security apparatus on ground.

“You must cooperate with Operation Whirl Stroke. Your deployment is not only for Lafia, but for the Northcentral,” he said.

The air chief appreciated the Nasarawa government for the provision of the facility provided for the establishment. Abubakar enjoined the government of Nasarawa to put in place refuelling facilities to enable helicopters easy access for refuelling as they advance for operations.

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Addressing reporters, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for the quick response to the security challenges of the state.

According to the governor, the response came just three days after he called for help from the Federal Government.

Sule gave the assurance that the state would support the troops to ensure that all forms of crimes were eliminated from the state.

The governor has converted the Lafia Cargo Airport to serve as an operational base for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) 22 Quick Response Command for the Northcentral.

This followed the deployment of Special Forces operatives to the state to boost security in the state, as well as the entire Northcentral.

Governor Sule, who was at the airport to receive the troops, hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for the prompt attention to tackle the security situation in not only the state but also the Northcentral zone.

He expressed satisfaction that the response came just three days after he called for help from the Federal Government, assuring that the state would support the troops to ensure that all forms of crimes were eliminated from the statement of the 22 Quick Response Wing in Lafia.