The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified its airpower campaign against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping in the North-West, strengthening its air presence in Sokoto State.
This is contained in a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Sunday in Abuja.
Ejodame said the initiative is aimed at enhancing aerial surveillance, rapid response and air support for ground forces conducting joint operations across the region.
He said the strengthened presence would help locate, disrupt and degrade terrorists and bandits exploiting difficult terrain, mobility and concealment to evade ground forces.
Ejodame said leveraging airpower would deny hostile elements freedom of movement and create greater operational opportunities for surface forces to consolidate gains.
He said the initiative was consistent with the CAS’s Command Philosophy of building a motivated, professional and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive airpower effects.
The NAF spokesman added that intelligence-led operations, innovation, operational readiness and joint-force integration remained critical to addressing contemporary security challenges.
He reaffirmed NAF’s commitment to supporting efforts to restore peace and stability across the North-West and protect lives and property.
He also urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information to relevant authorities to support ongoing security operations.
Speaking on the development, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, said the NAF would continue to optimise airpower to deliver decisive effects in support of joint operations.
Aneke said the evolving security environment required timely intelligence, responsive airpower and seamless coordination with surface forces to maintain operational readiness.
“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,” he said.
He said the NAF would continue to employ airpower intelligently, professionally and decisively, while working with sister Services and other security agencies.
Aneke also stressed the importance of protecting civilians while conducting air operations against terrorists and other criminal elements.