By Gabriel Ameh
ABUJA — The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified its airpower campaign against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities across the North-West, strengthening its air presence in Sokoto State to support ongoing joint security operations.
The Service said the move is aimed at sustaining pressure on hostile elements, improving aerial surveillance and strengthening its capacity to respond rapidly to emerging threats while providing air support to ground forces operating within the Joint Operations Area.
According to the NAF, the strengthened presence in Sokoto is particularly important in countering asymmetric threats, as terrorists and bandits often exploit difficult terrain, mobility and concealment to evade ground forces.
The Service said the reach, speed, flexibility and precision of airpower would enhance efforts to locate, disrupt and degrade hostile elements, restrict their freedom of movement and create opportunities for ground 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 deployment of airpower in support of joint security operations.
Aneke said the changing security environment requires timely intelligence, responsive airpower and seamless coordination between air and surface forces.
He added that the NAF remains focused on maintaining operational readiness and preventing hostile elements from threatening vulnerable communities.
“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,” Aneke said.
The Chief of the Air Staff said the NAF would continue to employ airpower professionally and decisively in collaboration with sister services and other security agencies, while maintaining the highest regard for civilian safety.
The initiative forms part of Aneke’s broader command philosophy of building and sustaining a highly motivated, professional and mission-ready force capable of delivering effective airpower in synergy with ground forces.
The NAF said intelligence-led operations, innovation, operational readiness and joint-force integration remain central to its approach to contemporary security challenges.
The Service reaffirmed its commitment to supporting efforts to restore peace and stability across the North-West, stressing that it would continue working with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to protect lives and property and disrupt terrorist and criminal networks.
The NAF also appealed to members of the public to support ongoing security operations by providing timely and credible information to appropriate authorities.
The Service said sustained cooperation between security agencies and communities remains critical to confronting evolving threats and creating a safer environment for law-abiding citizens.
