The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, says defeating Nigeria’s evolving security threats requires intelligence-led operations, integrated air power and stronger inter-agency collaboration.
This is contained in a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Friday in Abuja.
Ejodame said Aneke stated this while delivering a lecture to participants of National Defence College Course 34 at the National Defence College, Abuja.
The lecture was titled, “Air Power and National Security: The Nigerian Air Force in Perspective.”
He said participants included senior officers of the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and 20 international participants from allied countries.
The CAS said Nigeria’s evolving security environment required integrated military operations and a whole-of-government approach to effectively address emerging threats.
He noted that terrorists, bandits, separatists and transnational criminal groups increasingly exploit emerging technologies, difficult terrain and civilian populations to evade security forces.
According to him, responding to such threats requires integrated structures capable of fusing intelligence from air, land, maritime, cyber and human domains.
Aneke described air power as a strategic enabler, providing speed, reach, precision and flexibility for intelligence gathering and operational support.
He said air power also enables rapid troop deployment, border security, maritime surveillance and protection of critical national infrastructure.
The CAS stressed that no single Service could secure the nation alone, emphasising the importance of intelligence sharing and joint planning.
He said decisive air power achieves greater operational impact when effectively integrated with land and maritime forces.
According to him, cyber threats, unmanned aerial systems, piracy, arms trafficking and disinformation are reshaping Nigeria’s security environment.
He warned that hostile actors increasingly exploit cyberspace and social media to spread false information and undermine public confidence in state institutions.
Aneke reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to strengthening its capabilities through indigenous innovation, advanced intelligence systems and strategic partnerships.
He said sustained investments in force modernisation and logistics resilience would enhance the Service’s operational effectiveness against emerging security threats.
The CAS urged participants to promote jointness, innovation and inter-agency cooperation as critical pillars for addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
He added that the Nigerian Air Force would continue to advance strategic thought leadership and strengthen joint military cooperation in support of national security.
