CAS reassures commitment to sustain tempo against terrorism
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has reassured the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) of its commitment to sustaining mission tempo and responsiveness in the fight against terrorism nationwide.
Aneke also assured NAF’s personnel of his commitment to their welfare, operational readiness, and professional development.
He made this known in a goodwill message to officers, airmen, airwomen and civilian staff of NAF at the 2025 Christmas luncheon, organised by the Air Component Operation Hadin Kai, NAF Base Maiduguri on Thursday.
“To this end, substantial quantities of arms, ammunition, aviation spares, and other critical logistics have been adequately provided across all theatres of operation to sustain mission tempo and responsiveness.
“These efforts are being consolidated with advanced preparations for the induction of additional force multipliers, including fighter aircraft, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and combat helicopters, scheduled for arrival in the early part of next year.
“These platforms will significantly expand our reach, persistence, and precision in the battlespace, thereby enhancing overall operational effectiveness,” the air chief, who was represented by Air Vice Marshal Anamdi Ananaba, said.
Aneke stated that, in line with this vision, the service has intensified efforts to transform its operations through technology-driven capabilities, improved logistics, enhanced training, deeper intelligence integration, and a renewed commitment to the welfare of its personnel.
“Beyond the reactivation and return-to-service of previously unserviceable air platforms across various theatres of operation, deliberate steps have been taken to ease the personal and professional burden borne by our personnel.
“Notably, the introduction of welfare flights conducted twice monthly has significantly reduced the stress of long-distance travel while alleviating the associated financial burden on our officers, airmen, airwomen, and their families,” he added.
In his remarks, Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno, said the transformation witnessed at the Air Component in Borno was a direct reflection of the CAS vision and commitment.
Zulum, who was represented by Dr Muhammad Guluze, the Borno Head of Service, said NAF had remained at the “forefront of the counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations, delivering timely, accurate, and decisive airpower in some of the most challenging environments.”
The governor said the insurgency, as it were today, was evolving with some remarkable progress over the years.
Zulum said that “the threat continues to adapt—changing tactics, exploiting technology, and seeking new ways to destabilise communities.
“What began as a conventional insurgency has transformed into a complex hybrid threat involving asymmetric warfare, information manipulation, and cross-border networks.”
“In the face of this evolving challenge, the Nigerian Air Force has remained a critical pillar of stability, providing Persistent Intelligence, surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) that enables swift decision-making.
“Precision air interdiction operations that degrade terrorist capabilities. Close Air Support missions that protect our ground forces and communities.
“Air mobility and logistics support that sustain humanitarian efforts across hard-to-reach areas.
“These efforts have not only denied terrorists the freedom to operate but have restored hope to countless communities, enabling us to rebuild, resettle, and revive livelihoods across Borno State,” he said.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Air Vice Marshal Patrick Obeya, the Air Officer Commanding Tactical Airlift Command, also said the security landscape in the North-east remained highly dynamic, with terrorist factions continuously modifying their tactics, dispersal patterns, and offensive approaches.
“In response, the Air Component has remained agile and proactive leveraging superior airpower, timely intelligence, and joint-force synergy to anticipate, contain, and neutralise emerging threats before they can escalate.
“Through sustained and coordinated air operations, we have delivered decisive effects across the entire battlespace. Our efforts encompass persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR); precision air interdiction; close air support; tactical and strategic mobility; and logistics resupply missions.
“These operations continue to ensure freedom of manoeuver for friendly forces while denying terrorists the ability to regroup, resupply, or threaten critical population centres.
“In recent months, significant gains have been recorded, notably through a series of well-coordinated air interdiction missions across the Timbuktu Triangle, Tumbuns Area, Mandara Mountains, Sambisa Forest and the Lake-Chad General Area,” he added.
