Politicians funding bandits, others — Air Force boss
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, has disclosed that bandits attacking Zamfara State and others are being funded by politicians.
He spoke weekend in Bauchi while commissioning Small Arms Shooting Range and personnel quarters at the Air Force Base.
“Some of these groups are being funded, supported and encouraged by certain unpatriotic Nigerians for self-centered political interests,” he said.
He said air operations in Zamfara and other places were being carefully organized, adding that personnel and assets would soon be deployed to support “Operation Sharan Daji”.
He said the NAF had deployed about 1,000 special forces and supported other security agencies against threats.
The Chief of Air Staff said 12 super aircraft were also expected to arrive from the United States.
Governor Mohammed Abubakar said the Bauchi said his administration was planning to hand over Lame Bura Forest to the Air force to establish an air range for its fighter aircraft pilots. Riders of tricycles (Keke Napep) in Maiduguri, Borno State, blocked major roads within the metropolis accusing the police of forcing them to give bribe.
The protesters forced students, civil servants, and other residents to trek to long their various destinations.
Speaking, the police spokesman in the state, DSP Edet Okon, however said in a statement that the tricycle riders embarked on the protest alleging illegal collection of levies by Local Government Authorities and non-provision of Motor Parks for their operations.
“They were promptly addressed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police incharge of Operations DCP Maiyaki Baba and the State Attorney General/Commissioner of Justice,” DSP Okon said, adding, “The situation has been brought under control and no life was lost.”
He quoted the state Commissioner of Police Borno State, CP Damian Chukwu, urging members of the public to be law abiding and always endeavour to report their grievances to the police or other appropriate government agencies.