Wike commends NAF air power in dislodging Boko Haram

The governor of Rivers state, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has doffed his hat for the Nigerian Air Force for its role in dislodging the onslaught of the dreaded Boko Haram terrorists in the North Eastern part of the country.

Speaking on Monday during a Courtesy Visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, by Air Commodore Mahmud Madi, the Commander of the Nigerian Air Force 115 Special Operations Group, Governor Wike noted that without the air power of the Air Force, it would have been difficult to dislodge the terrorists from their strongholds.

Governor Wike said that the Nigerian Air Force has done very well in the fight against Boko Haram in the North East, saying, “Without your air power, it would have been difficult to dislodge the Boko Haram terrorists. I want to commend the Nigerian Air Force for the sacrifices you have made for the security of the country. Please keep it up.”

The governor who again lauded the Nigerian Air Force for being apolitical by focusing their attention on security issues, also said that the people of Rivers State enjoyed a good working relationship with the Nigerian Air Force because the security agency has never been indicted for the snatching of electoral materials during elections.

“The only problem I have with security agencies is when they get themselves involved in the snatching of electoral materials. The Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Navy have always kept away from electoral malpractices. Our relationship will continue to wax stronger as long as the Nigerian Air Force concentrated on security matters,” he stated.

Governor Wike also called on the Nigerian Air Force to assist the state government to stop street trading on Aba Road, near the Air Force Base and urged the security agency to release the plot of land near the base for the state government to construct a modern park for the relocation of vehicles parked by the road close to the Air Force Base.

In his speech earlier, Air Commodore Mahmud Madi, the Commander of the Nigerian Air Force 115 Special Operations Group, assured that the group would work towards enhancing the security of the state.

The Commander called on the governor to assist the group with logistics in the discharge of their duties to the state.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and the Commander of the Nigerian Air Force 115 Special Operations Group , Air Commodore Mahmud Madi at the land near the Port Harcourt Air Force Base being proposed for a motor park by the State Government on Monday.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (m) , Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry Banigo (r) and Commander of the Nigerian Air Force 115 Special Operations Group , Air Commodore Mahmud Madi after a Courtesy Visit to the Government House, Port Harcourt by the commander on Monday.