Odita Sunday 
NAF Strengthens Air Presence In Sokoto, Intensifies North-West Campaign Against Terrorists
By Odita Sunday
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has strengthened its air presence in Sokoto State as part of intensified operations to deny terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements freedom of movement and action across the North-West.
The move is designed to sustain pressure on hostile elements, enhance aerial surveillance and boost the capacity of the military to respond rapidly to emerging threats, while providing effective air support to ground forces operating within the Joint Operations Area.
The NAF said the strengthened presence was particularly significant in confronting asymmetric threats, as terrorists and bandits often exploit difficult terrain, mobility and concealment to evade ground forces.
According to the Service, 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 greater operational opportunities for surface forces to consolidate gains on the ground.
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.
Aneke said the evolving security environment required timely intelligence, responsive airpower and seamless integration with surface forces, stressing that the Service remained focused on maintaining operational readiness and denying hostile elements the opportunity to threaten innocent 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. 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,” the CAS stated.
The initiative 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 towards the realisation of national security objectives.
It also reinforces the NAF’s emphasis on intelligence-led operations, innovation, operational readiness and joint-force integration as essential components of contemporary air warfare.
The NAF said it remained committed to supporting national efforts to restore peace and stability across the North-West, adding that it would continue to work closely with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to protect lives and property, disrupt terrorist and criminal networks, safeguard communities and contribute to a safer environment for law-abiding citizens.
The Service urged members of the public to support ongoing security operations by providing timely and credible information to the appropriate authorities.
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