Don’t Abandon Ogoja Air Force Forward Operating Base, Lawmaker Begs FG

The member representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency and deputy chairman, House Committee on Police Institutions, Hon. Godwin Offiono has pleaded with the federal government not to discontinue the establishment of the Air Force Forward Operating Base (FOB), in Ogoja, Cross River State.

 Offiono said the FOB Ogoja should be developed and equipped and not de-established.

Offiono’s plea came on heels of alleged report that the current management of the Air Force is planning on de-establishing the base. 

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Offiono siad such Air Force Base would not only bring development to the state, but also ensure security of the region.

The lawmaker also revealed that, among the seven FOBs in Nigeria, only one; FOB Ogoja, is being established in the southern part of Nigeria, the remaining six are in the northern part of the country. 

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He further stated that, the threat of the Ambazonian separatist movement rebels from Cameroon is evident in Ogoja, Cross River State, and so the base in Ogoja should be developed and equipped rather than de-establishing. 

Recall that on the 22nd of August 2022, the immediate past chief of air staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao (rtd), did the groundbreaking of the Nigerian Air Force Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ogoja, Cross River State, following the approval for the establishment of the Base by the then president, Muhammadu Buhari.

At the groundbreaking ceremony in Ogoja, Air Marshal Amao stated that the need for an FOB in the southern-most part of Cross River State became expedient after a review of NAF’s doctrine, force structure and Order of Battle. 

He stated further that besides the reviews as reason behind the establishment of the FOB, the NAF has also found it strategically crucial to extend its reach for effective employment of air power towards the maintenance of peace in the country.