Key Points
- NAF increases air presence in Sokoto to support joint security operations.
- The service says enhanced surveillance will help counter terrorists and bandits exploiting difficult terrain.
- Air Force chief pledges continued coordination with ground forces and other security agencies.
Main Story
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has increased its air operations across the North-West as part of efforts to disrupt terrorist, bandit and kidnapping activities in the region.
Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday.
He said the service had particularly strengthened its air presence in Sokoto State to support ongoing joint operations by security agencies.
Ejodame said the deployment was intended to improve surveillance and enable security forces to respond more quickly to threats within the Joint Operations Area.
He said the nature of the security threats in the region made air support important, as criminal groups often use difficult terrain, mobility and concealment to avoid ground forces.
According to him, the NAF’s air capabilities would help security forces locate hostile groups, disrupt their activities and restrict their movement, while providing support for troops operating on the ground.
Ejodame quoted the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, as saying the NAF was refining its air operations to achieve stronger results during joint security missions.
Aneke said the changing nature of the security environment required security forces to combine timely intelligence with responsive air operations and effective coordination with surface forces.
He said the NAF would continue to work with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to protect communities and weaken terrorist and criminal networks.
The CAS said the approach was also consistent with his objective of maintaining a professional, motivated and operationally prepared force.
He added that intelligence-led operations, innovation, readiness and closer integration with other forces remained central to the NAF’s operations.
Aneke said the service would continue supporting national efforts to restore peace and stability in the North-West.
He called on residents to assist security agencies by providing credible information that could support ongoing operations.
The Issues
Security challenges involving terrorism, banditry and kidnapping remain a concern in parts of the North-West. Criminal groups operating in the region can exploit difficult terrain and mobility to avoid ground forces.
The NAF’s increased air presence is intended to strengthen surveillance and give surface forces additional support during joint operations.
What’s Being Said
“By leveraging the reach, speed, flexibility, and precision of air-power, the NAF is better positioned to locate, disrupt, and degrade hostile elements, deny them freedom of movement, and create opportunities for surface forces to consolidate gains.” — Ehimen Ejodame
“Our objective is clear; to sustain pressure on criminal elements, deny them freedom of action, and create the conditions for our surface forces to dominate the operational environment.” — Sunday Aneke
What’s Next
The NAF said it would maintain its enhanced air operations and continue coordinating with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies across the North-West.
The service also expects members of the public to provide timely and credible information to the relevant authorities to assist security operations.
Bottom Line
The NAF is strengthening its air presence in the North-West, with increased operations in Sokoto intended to improve surveillance, disrupt criminal groups and support ground forces.
 has increased its air operations across the North-West as part of efforts to disrupt terrorist, bandit ...){kind=link}