The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has ordered intensified air operations to crush insurgents nationwide during meeting with Air Component Commanders on Tuesday in Abuja.
Aneke reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s uncompromising resolve to intensify air operations against insurgent and terrorist elements, declaring that the Service remains fully committed to decisive, intelligence-driven action across all theatres.
A statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information of NAF, air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Tuesday in Abuja the CAS praised commanders and personnel for their courage and discipline.
He noted the sustained gains degrading terrorist networks, while directing deeper intelligence-led operations, inter-agency collaboration, technology exploitation, standardized training, and predictive maintenance nationwide.
He assured Nigerians the NAF remains relentless, protecting civilians and national assets, projecting decisive airpower alongside ground forces, and sustaining momentum until lasting peace and stability are restored.
He described the engagement as a critical warfighting review forum aimed at sharpening operational effectiveness and accelerating the restoration of peace nationwide.
The CAS stated that the meeting provided an opportunity to rigorously evaluate ongoing missions, close operational gaps, and align strategies with emerging threats.
He emphasised that counter-insurgency operations demand speed, precision, and relentless pressure on hostile elements.
“We must dominate the operational space through superior coordination, innovation, and unwavering professionalism.
“Every sortie, every mission, and every decision must move us closer to total security restoration,” he charged.
The CAS stressed that the Nigerian Air Force will continue to project overwhelming airpower in support of ground forces and joint operations.
He praised the commanders and their troops for the courage, endurance, and operational discipline they had continued to exhibit under demanding combat conditions.
He noted that their sacrifices had produced measurable gains in degrading insurgent capabilities and disrupting hostile networks.
According to him, these achievements reflect his Command Philosophy of building a highly motivated, mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive results.
“Our personnel remain our greatest strength. Their resilience in the face of adversity proves that the Nigerian Air Force is prepared, focused, and battle-ready,” he said.
Aneke, however, cautioned that the security environment remains fluid and requires constant adaptation.
He directed commanders to intensify intelligence-led operations, deepen inter-agency collaboration, and fully exploit modern technology to outpace evolving threats.
He underscored the importance of standardised training, predictive maintenance, and rapid logistics support as pillars of sustained combat effectiveness.
The meeting featured detailed operational briefings and interactive reviews, with Branch Chiefs and senior officers contributing to a unified operational roadmap designed to maintain operational tempo and enhance mission success across all theatres.
“The NAF stands as a shield over the nation. We remain vigilant, aggressive against threats, and fully aligned with our constitutional duty to safeguard the country,” he affirmed.
“We will continue to evolve, strengthen partnerships, and apply decisive airpower until lasting peace is secured.
“Nigerians are urged to remain confident in the Armed Forces’ commitment, as the CAS reiterated that the path ahead is defined by resilience, professionalism, and an unshakable determination to protect the nation,” he added. (NAN)
