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The Lafia Cargo Airport will now serve as an operational base for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) 22 Quick Response Command for the North Central zone.

This followed the deployment of Special Forces operatives to Nasarawa State, on Sunday, to boost security in the state, as well as the entire North Central geopolitical zone.

Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, who was at the airport to receive the troops, commended President Muhammadu Buhari, for the prompt attention to tackle the security situation in not only the state but the North Central zone.

Engineer Sule 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 State.

Addressing the troops at the Lafia Airport, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, 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, who was 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 not only for Lafia, but for the North -Central,” he said.

The air chief appreciated the Nasarawa State Government for the provision of the facility provided for the establishment of the 22 Quick Response Wing in Lafia.

Abubakar urged the government of Nasarawa to put in place a Refueling facility to enable helicopters easy access for refueling as they advance for operations.

The troops were deployed to tackle the emerging security challenges, such as banditry, cattle rustlings and farmers and herders clash in the zone.

Since his assumption of office a year ago, Engineer Sule has consistently maintained that his administration will not only complete the Lafia Cargo Airport, but will also attract business at the facility.