In a significant address during the 2025 Christmas luncheon at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base Maiduguri, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, delivered a comprehensive reassurance of the service’s unwavering commitment to the fight against terrorism. The message, coming at a critical juncture, outlined not just continued effort, but a strategic evolution aimed at consolidating gains and adapting to an increasingly complex threat landscape.
Sustaining Momentum: A Multi-Pronged Approach
Air Marshal Aneke, represented by Air Vice Marshal Anamdi Ananaba, emphasized that sustaining the operational “tempo” is not merely about increased sorties. It is a holistic strategy built on several pillars:
- Logistics and Readiness: “Substantial quantities of arms, ammunition, aviation spares, and other critical logistics have been adequately provided across all theatres of operation.” This addresses a historical challenge in prolonged conflicts—maintaining the serviceability of complex platforms. The proactive stocking of spares is crucial to prevent operational pauses.
- Technological Force Multiplication: The announcement of “advanced preparations for the induction of additional force multipliers” scheduled for early 2026 is pivotal. The mention of fighter aircraft, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and combat helicopters signals a layered capability enhancement. For instance, UAVs provide persistent, low-risk surveillance, freeing up manned aircraft for complex strikes, while new combat helicopters offer enhanced close air support for ground troops in intricate terrain.
- Human Capital and Welfare: Beyond hardware, Aneke stressed “a renewed commitment to the welfare of its personnel.” The specific example of twice-monthly welfare flights is a practical intervention that reduces personal strain and financial burden, directly impacting morale and retention—a key factor in sustaining a professional force over the long term.
The Evolving Threat: Acknowledging the New Battlefield
The context provided by Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, represented by Dr. Muhammad Guluze, was particularly insightful. He framed the current insurgency not as a static enemy but as an “evolving” and “complex hybrid threat.” This involves:
- Asymmetric Warfare: Terrorist groups avoiding conventional confrontations.
- Information Manipulation: Using propaganda to recruit and intimidate.
- Cross-Border Networks: Exploiting geographical and jurisdictional seams for logistics and safe havens.
This recognition is critical. It implies that a purely kinetic (firepower-focused) response is insufficient. The NAF’s strategy, as detailed by Air Vice Marshal Patrick Obeya, reflects this understanding through its emphasis on “Persistent Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR).” ISR is the cornerstone for understanding and disrupting hybrid networks, enabling precision strikes that minimize collateral damage and support broader stability operations.
Operational Impact and Future Trajectory
AVM Obeya’s welcome address provided concrete examples of how this strategy is applied. Operations in key terrorist enclaves like the “Timbuktu Triangle, Tumbuns Area, Mandara Mountains, Sambisa Forest and the Lake-Chad General Area” are not random. These are targeted efforts to deny sanctuary, disrupt command chains, and interdict supply lines. The goal, as stated, is to “anticipate, contain, and neutralise emerging threats before they can escalate.”
The collective message from the CAS, the Governor, and the theatre commander paints a picture of a more mature, integrated phase in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism campaign. It moves beyond mere reassurance to a detailed exposition of a how: how logistics enable persistence, how technology expands reach, how welfare sustains the force, and how intelligence drives precision. The commitment for 2026 appears to be one of strategic depth and adaptation, aiming to translate airpower dominance into lasting security on the ground, particularly in the hard-hit communities of Borno State that Governor Zulum noted are now rebuilding.
Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed
