Gov Otti Commends Establishment  Of Air Base In Abia, Receives Air Force Chief, Abubakar

Dr. Alex Otti, Governor of Abia State, has welcomed the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF) decision to establish an operational base in the state, promising to provide the Force with all the necessary support to take off.

In a press statement issued by Kazie Uko, Chief Press Secretary Governor, Otti stated that the Air Force’s decision to establish a base in Abia could not have come at a better time than now that the Federal Government has begun construction on an airstrip in the state.

The Governor stated that the presence of the Air Force in Abia has become even more necessary at this time, following the killing of five soldiers at an army post in Obikabia, Obingwa Local Government Area of the State, by some yet-to-be-identified gunmen attempting to sabotage the peace that Abians have been enjoying for the past year.

Governor Otti spoke on Friday during a visit to his country home in Umuehim, Nvosi, Isialangwa South Local Government Area, by Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, Chief of the Air Staff.

“We would like to thank you in particular for your very generous approval to establish your presence in Abia State. The timing could not have been better. The federal government recently approved the construction of an airstrip in Abia, and officials from the Ministry of Aviation, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, NAMA, and other agencies have arrived. We had an excellent engagement.

“We have already given them a site for the airport, which is quite large. We are also committed to collaborating with them to transform it from an airstrip into an airport.

“This is a fantastic time for Abia, as well as for you to be here, because an airport is on its way. Fortunately, it is a very large parcel of land, and by that airport, we will give you land to base your operations,” an appreciative Governor Otti told the Air Force Chief, thanking him for his visit.

Governor Otti offered a temporary take-off location for the Nigerian armed forces’ air wing in Umuahia, Abia’s capital, pending the construction of the permanent site, demonstrating his determination to have the Air Force strike the Abia skyline as well as put boots on the ground.

According to him, this arrangement would allow both the State and the Nigerian Air Force to quickly recognise the air Chief’s goodwill towards Abia.

“So, we will give you a temporary location in Umuhia.” We will also provide your men with housing, transportation, and any other necessities they may require. I believe we can accomplish this in the next one to two months,” Governor Otti said, adding that the presence of the Nigerian Air Force in Abia “will be very useful in supporting the activities of other security agencies that are working closely with us.”

Governor Otti informed Air Marshal Abubakar that Abians had lived in relative peace until last Thursday, May 30, when some daring criminals ambushed an army post in Obikabia and slaughtered the five soldiers on duty in cold blood.

“Interestingly, the government has placed a 25 million Naira bounty, and just yesterday, an Abia son, who also comes from Obingwa and lives in the United States of America, sent us five million Naira to increase the bounty to 30 million Naira.”

“So, I am happy to announce that the bounty has just been upgraded to 30 million Naira to encourage anyone with useful information that would lead to the arrest of the criminals who came here to terrorise us,” the Governor said, describing the tragedy as a “very unfortunate isolated incident.”

He reaffirmed the Abia State Government’s commitment to working with various security agencies to ensure that the ugly incident of May 30 did not happen again.

“We are completely committed to this. We must apprehend them and make it clear that this is not a safe haven for terrorists, killers, kidnappers, or criminals.

“So, once again, thank you very much for your visit. As you nominate one of your men to work with us, the SA Security is hereby empowered to work with your men to ensure that you have everything you need to get started right away, while we begin the process of building the permanent site’, Governor Otti declared.

Earlier, Air Marshal Abubakar stated that the purpose of his visit was to engage in meaningful dialogue with the Governor and explore possibilities for collaboration between the Nigerian Air Force and Abia State.

Abubakar requested that the state government provide them with a plot of land on which to build an Air Force Base in Abia in order to improve security not only in Abia but throughout the country’s South East Zone.

He praised Governor Otti for his dedication to governance and commitment to the State’s development, as well as his leadership style, “which is people-oriented and centred on the prudent management of public resources in order to improve Abians’ living standards.”

AVM Abubakar took the opportunity to commiserate with the State Government on the unfortunate incident that resulted in the deaths of five soldiers at Obikabia, assuring that the Nigerian Air Force would work with other security agencies to strengthen security in the state.