Linus Aleke in Abuja
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has vowed to deny terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, extremists and hostile elements the freedom to threaten vulnerable communities, as the Service intensified joint operations against emerging security threats in the North-West.
The Service revealed that it had also strengthened its air presence in Sokoto State to support ongoing joint security operations in the zone.
The pledge came barely 24 hours after NAF platforms deployed under Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, delivered precision-guided munitions against identified terrorist enclaves in forests in Monguno and Biu Local Government Areas of Borno State, killing more than 26 terrorist fighters at identified locations.
Speaking on the ongoing joint operations under Operation Fansan Yamman, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, said the NAF would continue to optimise the employment of air power to deliver decisive effects in support of ongoing joint operations.
He stressed that the evolving security environment required a combination of timely intelligence, responsive air power and seamless integration with surface forces, noting that the Service remained focused on maintaining operational readiness.
“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 air power 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.
According to a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the initiative was consistent with the CAS’s Command Philosophy of enhancing and sustaining a highly motivated, professional and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive air power effects in synergy with surface forces for the realisation of national security objectives.
It also reinforced the NAF’s continuing emphasis on intelligence-led operations, innovation, operational readiness and joint-force integration as essential components of contemporary air warfare.
The statement stated: “The initiative 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.
“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.
“By leveraging the reach, speed, flexibility and precision of air power, the NAF is better positioned 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 on the ground.”