The Nigerian Air Force has intensified its aerial operations in Sokoto State as part of efforts to disrupt terrorist movements, degrade their capabilities and restore security across affected areas.
Nigerian Air Force (NAF)
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has strengthened its air presence in Sokoto State to support joint security operations, intensifying airpower campaign against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities across the North-West.
This reflects the Service’s determination to sustain pressure on hostile elements, enhance aerial surveillance and maintain the capacity for rapid response to emerging threats, while providing effective air support to ground forces operating within the Joint Operations Area.
In a statement on Sunday, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the strengthened air presence is particularly significant in the fight against asymmetric threats, where terrorists and bandits exploit difficult terrain, mobility and concealment to evade ground forces.
Ejodame said that the Service would leverage its reach, speed, flexibility and precision of airpower to better positioned its platforms to support efforts to locate, disrupt and degrade hostile elements, deny them freedom of movement and action, and create greater operational opportunities for surface forces to consolidate gains.
According to him, the effort further underscores the importance of sustained air-ground coordination in confronting evolving security challenges across the region.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, said the development would enable the Air Force to continue to optimise the employment of airpower to deliver decisive effects in support of ongoing joint operations.
Aneke stressed that the evolving security environment requires a combination of timely intelligence, responsive airpower and seamless integration with surface forces, noting that the Service remained focused on maintaining operational readiness and ensuring that hostile elements are denied the freedom 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,” he said.
The CAS said NAF remains committed to supporting national efforts to restore peace and stability across the North-West.
He assured that the Service would 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 creating a safer environment for law-abiding citizens.
