The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified its air campaign against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities across the North-West, with a strengthened air presence in Sokoto State to support ongoing joint security operations.
According to Director of Public Relations and Information Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the move is aimed at sustaining pressure on hostile elements, enhancing aerial surveillance and ensuring rapid response to emerging threats, while providing effective air support to ground forces operating across the Joint Operations Area.
The NAF said the increased air presence is particularly critical in countering asymmetric threats, where terrorists and bandits exploit difficult terrain, mobility and concealment to evade ground forces.
According to the Service, the reach, speed, flexibility and precision of airpower provide critical advantages in locating, disrupting and degrading hostile elements, denying them freedom of movement and action, and creating opportunities for surface forces to consolidate operational gains.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, said the NAF would continue to optimise the employment of airpower to deliver decisive effects in support of joint operations.
Aneke stressed that the evolving security environment required timely intelligence, responsive airpower and seamless coordination between air and ground forces to effectively counter emerging threats.
“Our objective is clear: to sustain the pressure on criminal elements, deny them freedom of action and create the conditions for our surface forces to dominate the operational environment,” the CAS said.
He added that the NAF would continue to employ airpower “intelligently, professionally and decisively” in synergy with sister services and other security agencies, while maintaining the highest regard for civilian safety.
The initiative aligns with the CAS’s Command Philosophy of building and sustaining a highly motivated, professional and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive airpower effects in synergy with surface forces to achieve national security objectives.
The Service said the strengthened air presence also reflects its continued emphasis on intelligence-led operations, innovation, operational readiness and joint-force integration as essential elements of contemporary air warfare.
The NAF reaffirmed its commitment to supporting efforts to restore peace and stability across the North-West, saying it would continue to work closely with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to protect lives and property, disrupt terrorist and criminal networks, and safeguard vulnerable communities.
The Service also urged members of the public to support ongoing security operations by providing timely and credible information to the appropriate authorities.
