Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigerian Air Force has significantly bolstered its air presence in Sokoto State as part of a sustained and intensified airpower campaign against the escalating threats of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities ravaging the North-West region. The initiative, announced on Sunday, August 23, 2026, underscores the Service's determination to leverage the speed, flexibility, and precision of airpower to support ongoing joint security operations on the ground. This strategic move aims to enhance aerial surveillance, ensure rapid response to emerging threats, and provide critical air support to ground forces operating within the Joint Operations Area.
The decision to strengthen air operations in Sokoto comes as armed groups, including terrorists and bandits, continue to exploit the region's difficult terrain, mobility, and concealment to evade ground forces. By establishing a more robust air presence, the NAF is better positioned to locate, disrupt, and degrade these hostile elements, denying them the freedom of movement and action they have long enjoyed. This effort is part of a broader strategy to create greater operational opportunities for surface forces to consolidate their gains on the ground. The NAF's Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, emphasized that the strengthened air presence is particularly significant in the fight against asymmetric threats.
Speaking on the development, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, reaffirmed the NAF's commitment to optimising the employment of airpower to deliver decisive effects in support of ongoing joint operations. He stressed that the evolving security environment requires a combination of timely intelligence, responsive airpower, and seamless integration with surface forces. "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," Air Marshal Aneke declared. He added that the Service would continue to employ airpower intelligently, professionally, and decisively, in synergy with sister Services and other security agencies, while maintaining the highest regard for the safety of civilians.
The initiative is consistent with the Chief of the Air Staff's command philosophy of enhancing and sustaining a highly motivated, professional, and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive airpower effects in synergy with surface forces for the realisation of national security objectives. It also reinforces the NAF's continuing emphasis on intelligence-led operations, innovation, operational readiness, and joint-force integration as essential components of contemporary air warfare.
The strengthened air presence in Sokoto is a direct response to the persistent and devastating attacks by bandits and terrorists that have plagued the North-West, leading to loss of lives, displacement of communities, and disruption of economic activities. The NAF's move is expected to enhance the capacity of security forces to respond swiftly to emerging threats, thereby protecting vulnerable communities and restoring a sense of security. The Air Force has also reiterated its commitment to working closely with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to protect lives and property, disrupt terrorist and criminal networks, and contribute to creating a safer environment for law-abiding citizens.
This latest development comes 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. The success of these operations underscores the effectiveness of airpower in degrading the capabilities of hostile groups and the NAF's unwavering resolve to deny criminal elements the freedom to threaten innocent communities.
As the NAF intensifies its air campaign, the Service has urged members of the public to continue supporting ongoing security operations by providing timely and credible information to the appropriate authorities. The collaboration between the military and local communities is seen as crucial to the success of these operations, as it helps to identify and track down criminal elements operating in remote and difficult-to-reach areas. The NAF remains resolute in its commitment to supporting national efforts to restore peace and stability across the North-West. With the strengthened air presence in Sokoto, the Service is signaling its determination to sustain the momentum of the offensive against terrorism and banditry, ensuring that the region is no longer a safe haven for criminals.
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