The Federal Government has assured residents of Taraba State that they should not be afraid of the low-altitude flights that will be taking place in the state as part of a geological survey exercise.

The exercise will begin this week and involve using special aircraft that will fly at very low altitudes in a repeated pattern to capture magnetic anomalies.

A statement signed by the Ishaku Kigbu, Media /Communication Officer, Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification Project read “Having carried out full sensitisation in the state earlier, the Ministry wishes to re-emphasise that the activity is still ongoing hence the state will experience the flying of these special aircrafts at very low altitude in a repeated pattern to capture magnetic anomalies.”

The exercise will be carried out in six out of the 16 local government councils of the state, namely Ardo Kola, Jalingo, Karim Lamido, Lau, Yorro and Zing.

The government has urged residents of the affected areas not to panic or entertain fears, as the activity is safe.

“The public may recall that the Airborne Geophysical Mapping Survey started in June 2021, and a robust sensitisation and enlightenment campaign was carried out in the 19 states that were to be covered by the activity.

“The program experienced overlaps due to weather conditions and logistical reasons but has been progressing well since it started,” the statement further read

The government said the reassurance is necessitated by the current security situation in the country.

The geological survey exercise is being conducted to improve the availability of geological information and data to enhance the diversification of the economy.