The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified its air campaign against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities across the North-West, deploying additional aircraft to Sokoto State to strengthen its support for ongoing joint security operations in the region.
The deployment is aimed at sustaining pressure on terrorist and bandit groups, enhancing aerial surveillance and improving the military’s capacity to respond rapidly to emerging security threats across the region.
The strengthened air presence will also provide additional support to ground forces operating within the Joint Operations Area, particularly in locations where difficult terrain and the mobility of armed groups pose significant challenges to conventional ground operations.
The NAF said the deployment was particularly important in confronting asymmetric threats, as terrorists and bandits frequently exploit difficult terrain, mobility and concealment to evade security forces.
According to the Service, the reach, speed, flexibility and precision of airpower will enhance ongoing efforts to locate, disrupt and degrade hostile elements, deny them freedom of movement and action, and create greater operational opportunities for ground forces to consolidate gains.
The deployment also underscores the importance of sustained air-ground coordination in addressing the evolving security challenges confronting the North-West, where security forces continue to conduct operations against terrorist and criminal networks.
The NAF said the move was in line with the commitment of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, to maintaining a highly motivated, professional and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive airpower effects in synergy with other services and security agencies.
It reaffirmed its determination to leverage airpower and joint operations to protect lives and property, degrade terrorist and criminal networks, and contribute to the restoration of lasting peace and stability across the North-West and the country.
The additional air assets in Sokoto are expected to complement ongoing operations across the region, particularly efforts to restrict the movement of terrorists and bandits, disrupt their logistics and supply networks, and prevent attacks on vulnerable communities.
