Air Marshal Vows Unrelenting Air Force Pressure on Insurgent Groups
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has reiterated that the Nigerian Air Force will intensify pressure on insurgents, terrorists, and armed criminal groups across the country, warning that no part of Nigeria will offer refuge to those threatening national security.
Aneke, who described the nation’s security environment as increasingly volatile, noted that violent non-state actors continue to endanger communities through coordinated attacks. He said the armed forces are obligated to respond with greater precision and tactical innovation.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the Air Chief delivered the charge during an operational visit to the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA at the 213 Forward Operating Base in Katsina. He urged troops to raise the intensity of their operations in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to stamp out all threats to citizens’ safety.
“We will not rest until every adversary is neutralised. Wherever they are—whether in forests, valleys, or remote settlements—our forces will locate and engage them. Our mission remains unchanged: pursue them and defend our people,” he said.
Aneke noted that recent federal investments in aircraft, modern weaponry, and advanced training impose a responsibility on the Air Force to deliver tangible results on the battlefield. He encouraged personnel to honour the memory of fallen colleagues by sustaining their determination.
He commended frontline troops for their professionalism despite challenging conditions and charged them to maintain momentum in ongoing counterterrorism and anti-banditry missions across the northern region.
The Air Chief restated his leadership philosophy, which emphasises decisive combat operations alongside improved welfare for personnel. He assured that training, equipment, and living conditions would continue to reflect operational needs, remarking that “a force that fights hard must also live well.”
Earlier, the Air Officer Commanding Special Operations Command, Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Idris, pledged the troops’ readiness to advance the CAS’s strategic direction. Aneke also received a briefing from the Air Component Commander, Air Commodore C. E. Illoh, on recent operational successes and emerging strategies.
During the visit, the CAS inspected key facilities, including engineering, logistics, medical, and recreational units, before meeting with officers and airmen. He encouraged them to remain steadfast, saying they represent the nation’s pride and the assurance of security for millions.
The NobleQuestdaily reports that the visit reflects a renewed emphasis on intelligence-driven and precision-focused air operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks and strengthening the country’s territorial defence.
