The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has deployed its surveillance patrol aircraft as well as attack helicopters to monitor the Abuja-Kaduna highway and the equivalent railway track to reinforce security following the closure of the Abuja airport and use of the Kaduna airport as alternative.
The Kaduna-Abuja highway it will be recalled has become notorious for marauding kidnapping gangs and cattle rustlers/bandits in recent months.
The Air Force actually commenced aerial patrol of the Kaduna-Abuja highway and extended the patrol to parts of Niger State four months ago as a result of deadly criminal activities.
Chief of Training and Operations, NAF HQ, Air Vice Marshal Abdullahi Iya while speaking in Kaduna at the weekend, noted that the NAF had now raised the tempo of its operation due to the increase in traffic on the highway and the railway track which runs from Rigasa in Kaduna to Idu in Abuja.
The CTOP who was in Kaduna to inspect the Kaduna International Airport added that the NAF had deployed additional surveillance and combat assets to boost the air operation in support of the land forces.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Police Command has assured that the Abuja-Kaduna expressway is safe for commuters.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Agyole Abeh who gave the assurance in a press statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Aliyu Usman, however cautioned commuters against using alternate routes at odd hours.
He said that the command had deployed enough resources to ensure the safety of travelers at all times.
The commissioner added that the police was conducting regular patrols on the highway using SARS patrol teams, Air Surveillance and Police Special Forces.
“The command wishes to reaffirm its commitment to maintain security of lives and property in the state.
“We are encouraging the members of the public to cooperate with the Command in its intelligence driven policing principles”, he said.
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