The Nigerian Air Force has said it will deploy additional air assets as well as NAF Regiment and Special Forces personnel to troubled areas in the north-western states to combat banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and other related crimes.

This was disclosed on Monday by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, while playing host to the Governor of Kastina State, Aminu Masari, at NAF headquarters, Abuja.

A statement on Tuesday, by NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, read, “CAS noted that NAF has put in place infrastructure at Daura in Katsina State and Gusau in Zamfara State to cater for the additional personnel and air assets that will be deployed.”

He equally disclosed that a helipad had been constructed at Birnin Magaji in Zamfara State, while the refuelling facilities in Gusau had been expanded to further facilitate the effective and efficient conduct of air operations.

The governor, in his remarks, said the state government’s ban on the use of motorcycles from dusk to dawn had had positive impact on the security situation in the state.