The Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, has called for the establishment of a Nigerian Air Force base in Kebbi State, citing the urgent need to address growing cross-border security threats and safeguard the state’s strategic borders with Niger and Benin Republics.
The governor made the appeal while hosting the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, during a courtesy visit to Government House, Birnin Kebbi.
Governor Idris said Kebbi, which had long enjoyed peace, has in recent years come under threat from Lakurawa bandits infiltrating from neighbouring countries, alongside criminal elements from Sokoto, Zamfara, and Niger States. These attackers, he explained, often retreat to their hideouts outside Kebbi after carrying out violent raids.
“Kebbi State is highly strategic, both geographically and economically. It shares international borders with two countries and possesses one of the best airports in Northern Nigeria — an asset that can serve the Nigerian Air Force in rapid deployment, surveillance, and troop support,” the governor said.
He emphasised that establishing an Air Force base would not only strengthen the state’s security architecture but also serve as a critical defence point for Nigeria’s Northwest and international borderlines.
To further support security operations, Governor Idris disclosed that his administration has invested heavily in mobility and patrol capacity. In addition to 85 Toyota Hilux vehicles already distributed to security agencies across the state, 20 more have been allocated for security patrols along the route of the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway, where Kebbi has the largest share of the project. Ten of these vehicles have been deployed, with the remaining ten set to be handed over soon.
The governor also praised the Nigerian Air Force for its prompt interventions in emergency situations and rescue missions in Kebbi, reaffirming his administration’s readiness to collaborate closely with the military to ensure peace and stability.
Earlier, Air Marshal Abubakar described Kebbi’s peace as vital to Nigeria’s national security. He said his visit was aimed at assessing the operational readiness of Air Force personnel stationed in the state and gaining first-hand insight into their activities.
He commended the synergy between security agencies in Kebbi and urged deeper collaboration with the state government to tackle insecurity across the Northwest.
“Without security, there can be no meaningful development. Our goal is to work in partnership with the state government to secure not just Kebbi, but the entire region,” the Air Force chief noted.
Governor Idris stressed that securing Kebbi’s borders is in the interest of both Nigeria and her neighbours, underscoring that safety in the state translates to stability in the region.
