No hiding place for terrorists in Nigeria — Air chief

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has promised that the Nigerian Air Force will relentlessly pursue insurgents, terrorists, and criminal gangs undermining the country’s security, insisting that nowhere in Nigeria will be a safe haven for those threatening national stability.

He described Nigeria’s security landscape as increasingly complex, noting that ruthless non-state actors continue to unleash violence on communities.

According to him, the military has a duty to respond with precision, innovation, and uncompromising force.

A statement on Friday by the service spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said Aneke spoke during an operational visit to the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA (Sector 2/213 Forward Operating Base) in Katsina, where he directed personnel to intensify operations in line with President Bola Tinubu’s mandate to eliminate all threats to citizens’ safety.
“We will not rest until every threat to our sovereignty is neutralised. Wherever they hide — in forests, valleys, or remote villages — our forces will find them. We will strike with precision. Our mission is clear: hunt them down and protect our people,” he was quoted as saying.

The CAS said the Federal Government’s heavy investment in new aircraft, advanced weapons, and improved training places a responsibility on the NAF to deliver results.

He urged personnel to honour the sacrifices of fallen colleagues by remaining resolute, saying, “We cannot relent for a moment. The nation is counting on us to reclaim every inch of territory challenged by insurgents and criminals.”
Aneke praised frontline troops for their courage and professionalism despite harsh operational conditions and charged them to sustain the tempo of ongoing counterterrorism and anti-banditry operations across the North.

Reiterating his leadership philosophy, anchored on decisive warfare and strong personnel welfare, he pledged that training, equipment, and living conditions would continue to meet the force’s operational demands. “A force that fights hard must also live well,” he said.

Earlier, the Air Officer Commanding Special Operations Command, Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Idris, assured the CAS of the troops’ readiness to execute his strategic vision.

He was later briefed by the Air Component Commander, Air Commodore C. E. Illoh, on recent gains and evolving strategies in the theatre.

Aneke also inspected critical operational and administrative facilities, including engineering, logistics, medical, and recreational sections, before holding a durbar with officers and airmen, where he encouraged them to remain committed to the mission.

He said, “You represent the pride of our nation and the hope of millions who sleep in peace because you stay awake. This fight is about securing our future. We must fly smarter, strike harder, and protect every Nigerian life with honour.”

The PUNCH reports that the visit underscores the service’s renewed push for intelligence-led, precision-driven operations aimed at crushing criminal elements and safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity.

Source: Punch