Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, has reaffirmed Rivers State’s commitment to collaborating with the Nigerian Air Force to strengthen security across the state, particularly in tackling oil theft and other criminal activities.
The pledge was made during a meeting with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, on his first official visit to Rivers State.
Fubara highlighted that the state’s previous support, including the donation of an aircraft in 2025, was intended to boost security operations and enhance operational efficiency.
He noted that upgrading the Air Force base in Port Harcourt would allow discreet operations without reliance on the international airport, protecting strategic initiatives.
He also emphasised that improved security would ultimately increase the state’s revenue and stressed that protecting lives and property remains a core responsibility of his administration.
Fubara reaffirmed the state government’s support for the Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA) in constructing a school for children with special needs.
In response, Air Marshal Aneke praised Rivers State for its strategic importance and the government’s interventions, including the provision of accommodation and runway resurfacing at the Port Harcourt base.
He requested the transfer of a state primary school and the Mother and Child Healthcare facility near the base to the Air Force, citing improved access and operational benefits.
Aneke also proposed collaboration on modern security technology, such as the deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), to strengthen surveillance and address security challenges more efficiently.
The meeting reinforced the long-standing partnership between Rivers State and the Nigerian Air Force, aiming to combine strategy, technology, and local support to ensure enhanced security in the state.
