BY PETER DURU

MAKURDI — As part of efforts to stem the unending bloodbath between Benue farmers and suspected Fulani herdsmen, the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, yesterday, commenced the aerial surveillance of the affected communities in a bid to nip such clashes in the bud.

The Air Officer Commanding, AOC, Tactical Air Command, NAF,  Air Vice Marshal, AVM Umar Omeiza, who flagged off the exercise in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, said the operation was in compliance with the directive of the Chief of Air Staff, CAS.

Omeiza said the exercise would afford security operatives in the state the opportunity to have a comprehensive aerial view of the entire state to mobilise and effectively secure the lives and property of the people.
His words: “The main purpose of this exercise is to help tackle the persistent cases of clashes between farmers and suspected Fulani herdsmen.

”We will concentrate our patrols in the flash points including the riverine communities that had witnessed several crisis recently.
”At the end of this operation, which we are carrying out in conjunction with other security agencies, we will sit and analyse our findings for necessary action that would help in checking insecurity and the threat to peace in the state.”

Omeiza also debunked rumours making the rounds in the town about an impending attack on the Makurdi NAF Base by the suspected Fulani herders.
He said:“It is not true. Moreover, we are aware of the security challenges we are currently facing in the country. In that wise, we have taken all necessary security measures to ensure the security and safety of the command.”