The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified its airpower campaign against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities in the North-West, strengthening its air presence in Sokoto State to support ongoing joint security operations.
The development is aimed at sustaining pressure on hostile elements, enhancing aerial surveillance, improving rapid response to emerging threats and providing effective air support to ground forces operating across the Joint Operations Area.
In a statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the NAF said the strengthened air presence had become particularly important in tackling asymmetric threats, where terrorists and bandits exploit difficult terrain, mobility and concealment to evade security forces.
By deploying the reach, speed, flexibility and precision of airpower, the Service said it was better positioned to locate, disrupt and degrade hostile elements, deny them freedom of movement and create greater operational opportunities for surface forces to consolidate gains.
Speaking on the development, 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 ongoing joint operations.
He said the evolving security environment required a combination of timely intelligence, responsive airpower and seamless integration with surface forces.
“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.
“We will continue to employ airpower intelligently, professionally and decisively, in synergy with our sister Services and other security agencies, while maintaining the highest regard for the safety of civilians,” Aneke said.
The Chief of the Air Staff stressed that the Service remained focused on maintaining operational readiness and ensuring that hostile elements were denied the freedom to threaten innocent communities.
The initiative, according to the NAF, is consistent with the CAS’s Command Philosophy of enhancing and sustaining a highly motivated, professional and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive airpower effects in synergy with surface forces.
It also reinforces the Service’s emphasis on intelligence-led operations, innovation, operational readiness and joint-force integration as critical components of contemporary air warfare.
The NAF reaffirmed its commitment to supporting national efforts to restore peace and stability across the North-West, pledging continued collaboration 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.
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