The Nigerian Air Force has ramped up aerial strikes against terrorists and bandits in Sokoto State as part of an intensified campaign to cripple criminal networks across the North-West.
Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, disclosed in a Monday statement that the heightened air presence is designed to bolster ongoing joint security operations in the region.
The expanded deployment underscores the NAF’s commitment to sustaining offensive momentum, enhancing surveillance, and maintaining rapid-response capabilities within the Joint Operations Area.
According to Ejodame, the reinforced aerial posture is essential in countering asymmetric threats, as terrorist and bandit elements frequently exploit rugged terrain, mobility, and concealment tactics to elude ground troops.
“By leveraging the reach, speed, flexibility, and precision of air-power, the NAF is better positioned to locate, disrupt, and degrade hostile elements, deny them freedom of movement, and create opportunities for surface forces to consolidate gains,” he stated.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, affirmed that the service would continue optimising air-power to deliver decisive effects in support of joint operations.
“The evolving security environment demands timely intelligence, responsive air-power, and seamless integration with surface forces,” Aneke said. “Our objective is clear: to sustain pressure on criminal elements, deny them freedom of action, and create the conditions for our surface forces to dominate the operational environment.”
He added: “We will continue to employ air-power intelligently, professionally, and decisively in synergy with sister services and other security agencies, while maintaining the highest regard for civilian safety.”
The air chief further noted that the initiative aligns with his command philosophy of building a highly motivated, professional, and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive air-power in support of national security objectives.
“It also reinforces the NAF’s focus on intelligence-led operations, innovation, operational readiness, and joint-force integration,” he added.
Aneke reiterated the NAF’s dedication to supporting national efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability across the North-West. He emphasised that the service would continue collaborating closely with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to protect lives and property, dismantle terrorist and criminal networks, and safeguard communities.
He urged members of the public to support ongoing security operations by providing timely and credible information to the appropriate authorities.