The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, on Wednesday summoned all air component commanders of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) across the country to the Force Headquarters in Abuja, directing them to intensify air operations and deliver decisive blows against terrorists, insurgents, and other criminal elements threatening the nation’s security.
The closed-door meeting, described as a high-level strategic session, focused on recalibrating NAF’s operational posture under the new leadership. It comes amid growing security concerns across various theatres of operation, including the North-East, North-West, and parts of the Middle Belt, where renewed attacks by bandits and insurgents have heightened public anxiety.
Addressing the commanders, Air Marshal Aneke issued fresh directives aimed at achieving greater precision, coordination, and impact in ongoing military operations. He charged them to “fly smarter and strike harder,” ensuring that every mission reflects professionalism, purpose, and patriotism.
“We must fly smarter and strike harder not only to neutralize threats but to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians. Every mission must reflect professionalism, purpose, and patriotism,” the Air Chief said.
He stressed that the evolving nature of threats across the country demands tighter synchronization between air, land, and maritime forces to deliver joint mission success. According to him, the NAF must serve as a decisive instrument of national power and a symbol of hope for citizens who look to the military for protection and stability.
The Air Force spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, in a statement after the meeting, described it as a “critical step in re-strategizing and reinforcing operational synergy” among the service’s field commands. He said the Air Chief emphasized the need for commanders to take the fight to the enemy’s strongholds with renewed vigor, leveraging intelligence and precision weaponry.
Aneke also reiterated his administration’s commitment to personnel welfare, training, and innovation, noting that no effective mission can be achieved without motivated and well-equipped personnel.
“Every airman and airwoman has a role to play,” he declared. “I will ensure you are equipped, trained, and motivated to deliver results.”
Sources within the Air Force revealed that the meeting also reviewed the outcomes of recent aerial operations and discussed emerging tactics, including the integration of unmanned aerial systems (drones) and night-time air raids to improve target accuracy and minimize collateral damage.
Security analysts have interpreted the summons as a signal of renewed urgency within the Nigerian military establishment. With persistent attacks by insurgents in the North-East, the resurgence of banditry in the North-West, and rising incidents of kidnapping and rural ambushes in central Nigeria, the NAF’s expanded operational engagement could mark a turning point in the counterterrorism campaign.
Observers also note that the Air Chief’s tone underscores a broader shift toward results-oriented leadership, where field commanders are expected to demonstrate measurable outcomes. The message was clear: complacency will no longer be tolerated, and commanders will be held accountable for operational lapses.
The Nigerian Air Force has, in recent months, conducted several successful air interdictions across the country, neutralizing terrorist camps and logistics hubs. However, civilian casualties and intelligence coordination gaps have occasionally sparked public criticism—issues the new Air Chief appears determined to address through tighter control and improved precision targeting.
As the security situation continues to evolve, the effectiveness of the NAF’s new operational strategy will depend on sustained inter-service collaboration, adequate funding, and real-time intelligence sharing between the Air Force, Army, Navy, and other security agencies.
With Air Marshal Aneke’s latest directive, the stage appears set for a more aggressive and intelligence-driven aerial campaign aimed at restoring peace across Nigeria’s troubled regions.