The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified NAF air strikes and aerial operations against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements across the North-West.
The increased deployment, particularly in Sokoto State, is aimed at supporting ongoing joint security operations and strengthening the military’s ability to counter asymmetric threats. The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.
According to Ejodame, the strengthened air presence in Sokoto is critical because terrorists and bandits often exploit difficult terrain, mobility and concealment to evade ground forces. He said the initiative reflects the service’s resolve to sustain pressure on hostile elements, improve aerial surveillance and maintain rapid response capabilities within the Joint Operations Area.
“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,” he said.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, said the NAF would continue to optimise air power in support of joint military operations. Aneke noted that the changing security environment required timely intelligence, responsive air power and effective coordination with surface forces.
“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,” he said.
The CAS added that the service would employ air power professionally and decisively while maintaining attention to civilian safety.
He said the strategy aligns with his command philosophy of developing a motivated, professional and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive air power for national security. Aneke also identified intelligence-led operations, innovation, operational readiness and joint-force integration as key priorities of the NAF.
He reiterated the service’s commitment to supporting efforts to restore peace and stability across the North-West, particularly through closer cooperation with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies. The NAF chief said the service would continue working with sister agencies to protect lives and property, dismantle terrorist and criminal networks and safeguard vulnerable communities.
He also urged members of the public to support ongoing security operations by providing timely and credible information to relevant authorities. The latest NAF air strikes form part of broader military efforts to deny criminal groups freedom of movement and strengthen security operations across the region.
