The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has convened a high-level strategic meeting with Air Component Commanders (ACCs) to rigorously review ongoing operations, close identified gaps, and realign airpower strategies with emerging security threats.
The engagement, held on Tuesday, 10 February 2026, served as a critical warfighting review forum aimed at sharpening operational effectiveness and accelerating the restoration of peace across the country. The CAS reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s uncompromising resolve to intensify intelligence-driven air operations against insurgent and terrorist elements in all theatres.
Speaking at the meeting, Air Marshal Aneke stressed that counter-insurgency operations demand speed, precision, and sustained pressure on hostile forces. “We must dominate the operational space through superior coordination, innovation, and unwavering professionalism. Every sortie, every mission, and every decision must move us closer to total security restoration,” he charged. He added that the NAF will continue to project overwhelming airpower in support of ground forces and joint operations.
Commending the ACCs and their personnel, the CAS praised their courage, endurance, and operational discipline under demanding combat conditions, noting that their sacrifices have produced measurable gains in degrading insurgent capabilities and disrupting hostile networks. According to him, these achievements reflect his command philosophy of building a highly motivated, mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive results.
“Our personnel remain our greatest strength. Their resilience in the face of adversity proves that the Nigerian Air Force is prepared, focused, and battle-ready,” Air Marshal Aneke said.
He, however, cautioned that the security environment remains fluid and requires constant adaptation. He directed commanders to intensify intelligence-led operations, deepen inter-agency collaboration, and fully exploit modern technology to stay ahead of evolving threats. The CAS also underscored the importance of standardised training, predictive maintenance, and rapid logistics support as key pillars of sustained combat effectiveness.
The meeting featured detailed operational briefings and interactive reviews, with Branch Chiefs and senior officers contributing to the development of a unified operational roadmap.
Reassuring Nigerians, Air Marshal Aneke stated that the NAF is maintaining relentless operational momentum and will not cede ground to forces that threaten national stability. He emphasised that all operations are guided by the protection of civilians, national assets, and territorial integrity.
“The Nigerian Air Force stands as a shield over the nation. We remain vigilant, aggressive against threats, and fully aligned with our constitutional duty to safeguard
