The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has underscored the growing synergy between the Nigerian Air Force and the Lagos State Government under Operation MESA, noting that enhanced air surveillance and intelligence capabilities are strengthening the state’s overall security architecture.
The CAS made the remarks during a three-day operational visit to Lagos State, which included a courtesy call on the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.
He reaffirmed the enduring strategic partnership between the Nigerian Air Force and the Lagos State Government, describing Lagos as pivotal to the operational framework of the Service.
According to Air Marshal Aneke, Lagos hosts the NAF Logistics Command and several key Air Force establishments that sustain air operations across the country, making the state central to the Service’s capacity to project airpower nationwide.
He noted that the efficiency of NAF operations is closely tied to the stability, cooperation, and strong institutional support the Service continues to enjoy within Lagos State.
Responding, Governor Sanwo-Olu reiterated the Lagos State Government’s commitment to sustained collaboration with the Armed Forces. He emphasised that security remains fundamental to economic growth and social stability, assuring that the state would continue to work closely with the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies to safeguard lives, critical infrastructure, and the strategic importance of Lagos to national development.
The engagement further reinforced the importance of inter-agency cooperation in addressing security challenges, with Operation MESA serving as a key platform for integrating air surveillance and intelligence with ground operations to enhance public safety across the state.
