Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to deepening security collaboration with the Nigerian Armed Forces, particularly as the Yuletide season approaches.
He said this is to ensure the safety of rural communities in the state and the wider North-Central region.
Mutfwang made the assurance on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, in Abuja.
The visit to the two senior ministry officers was disclosed in a statement by the governor’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere.
It came less than one week after the governor met with the newly appointed Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), in his office in Abuja to discuss renewed strategies for tackling insecurity in the state.
During the latest visit by the governor on Tuesday, he thanked the Nigerian Air Force for its resilience and dedication to restoring peace and stability in Plateau State, citing the service’s decisive operations and impactful contributions to improved security.
The governor emphasized the need for enhanced synergy between the Air Force and ground troops, particularly in effective airspace management and intelligence sharing, to prevent a recurrence of past incidents.
Mutfwang also highlighted the state’s vulnerability to security challenges during critical periods such as the Yuletide festivities, underscoring the need for proactive and coordinated measures to forestall threats and protect lives and livelihoods.
“The governor commended the Air Force for its decisive and impactful operations during some of the most challenging periods in the state, noting that the service’s display of uncommon patriotism, professionalism, and sacrifice has contributed significantly to the improved security situation currently being enjoyed,” the statement read.
While acknowledging that isolated attacks by bandits and terrorists still occur in some rural communities, Mutfwang stressed that enhanced synergy between the Air Force and ground troops, particularly in effective airspace management and intelligence sharing would greatly help in preventing a recurrence of the unfortunate incidents experienced in the past.
He further observed that Plateau State often witnesses heightened security challenges during critical periods such as the onset of the rainy season, harvest time, and the Yuletide festivities, underscoring the need for proactive and coordinated measures to forestall threats and protect lives and livelihoods.
In his response, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, warmly welcomed Mutfwang and his entourage, thanking the Plateau State Government for providing an enabling environment for the smooth conduct of Nigerian Air Force operations.
He assured the governor that, in close collaboration with other security agencies, the Air Force would continue to intensify efforts aimed at securing communities across the state and the country at large.
“As part of his engagements in Abuja, Governor Mutfwang also paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to further strengthen inter-agency security cooperation.
“In addition, he visited the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, as part of ongoing efforts by his administration to boost livestock production, enhance food security, and promote economic self-reliance among households in Plateau State,” the statement concluded.
