The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday approved N34.5 billion for the construction of an airstrip in Gboko, a remote community in Benue State. The strategic intervention aims to combat ongoing banditry and kidnapping within the region.
Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, disclosed this to State House correspondents following the second cabinet meeting of the year, which was presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
Keyamo explained that the development will provide vital infrastructure for security operatives, granting them rapid access to vulnerable communities that frequently endure attacks. He emphasised that while Gboko remains a highly critical zone, the absence of aviation facilities has consistently hindered emergency response and military rescue efforts.
Ministry moves to deploy military aviation facilities
Following the approval, the aviation ministry will immediately begin setting up landing and take-off facilities to reinforce military operations across the zone. The infrastructure is expected to drastically reduce response times during security breaches.
