Aviation workers protest residential quarters encroachment by NAF in Kano

Aviation workers in Kano on Saturday protested against the encroachment of their residential quarter by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and harassment of their members.

The protesters with various placard inscriptions accused the Nigerian Air Force of encroaching on their land and attempting to block the entrance gate to their residential quarters by personnel of the airforce who have started construction on the land.

SOLACEBASE reports that the aviation workers include staff of FAAN, NAMA, NiMET, NCAA, and AIB.

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Addressing Journalists on Saturday during the peaceful protest, Aviation Quarters Welfare Association Chairman,  Zakariyyau Dauda, said it was a surprise to them on Friday when the Nigerian Air force personnel started construction on the aviation residential quarters land and tried to block the main entrance gate of the quarters claiming the land belong to them.

‘’We were surprised yesterday when the Air Force personnel started construction on our land and even blocked our entrance gate claiming the land belonged to them, ‘’ Zakariyyau Dauda said.

‘’One of our colleagues was even harassed in the presence of his children and wife when coming back  from school, insisting that they would not allow him entrance into the residential quarters.’’

‘’Immediately we got a message to the airport manager, Gambo Abubakar Aboki who got in touch with the Nigerian Airforce Commandant but was denied an audience.’’

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‘’We were here before the air force, the residential quarters has been here for over 50 years. That was before the Air Force came here. Incidentally, the airport accommodated the air force by being magnanimous to give part of its land to the airforce. I have never seen where a tenant now claimed to be the landlord.’’

The chairman appealed to the Chief of Air Staff to call his men to order so as not to create chaos.

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He also appealed to the federal government to wade into the issue as they would not accept the situation where Nigerian Airforce personnel are harassing their members.

When contacted Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet told SOLACEBASE that he was not aware of the situation but would get back to the reporter immediately he gets a clear picture of the situation.

Gabkwet appealed to the aviation staff to remain calm and that the issue would be addressed amicably as they have been enjoying a peaceful coexistence for a long time.