The Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Zannah Mustapha, on Tuesday said that the Federal Government had approved the re-opening of the Maiduguri International Airport for commercial activities.

The airport was closed over 18 months ago following persistent attacks of the state by Boko Haram fighters.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday,   the deputy governor said the Federal Government resolved to re-open the airport following the seemingly security improvement recorded in recent times.

“It is interesting to announce that the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Adesola Amosu, has confirmed to me that the Federal Government had issued a directive for the re-opening of the Maiduguri International Airport for commercial activities.

“In fact, the Chief of Air Staff told me that the Nigerian Air Space Management Agency, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, were already directed to work out modalities for the resumption of flight operations in the airport,” he added.