Nigeria’s Chief CAS. Aneke Charts New Operational Direction at Strategic Meeting with Air Component Commanders
Oru Leonard
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s uncompromising resolve to intensify air operations against insurgent and terrorist elements, declaring that the Service remains fully committed to decisive, intelligence-driven action across all theatres. Speaking during a high-level strategic meeting with Air Component Commanders (ACCs) on Tuesday, 10 February 2026, the CAS described the engagement as a critical warfighting review forum aimed at sharpening operational effectiveness and accelerating the restoration of peace nationwide.
Air Marshal Aneke stated that the meeting provided an opportunity to rigorously evaluate ongoing missions, close operational gaps, and align strategies with emerging threats. He emphasised that counter-insurgency operations demand speed, precision, and relentless pressure on hostile elements. “We must dominate the operational space through superior coordination, innovation, and unwavering professionalism. Every sortie, every mission, and every decision must move us closer to total security restoration,” he charged. The CAS stressed that the Nigerian Air Force will continue to project overwhelming airpower in support of ground forces and joint operations.
Commending the ACCs and their personnel, the CAS praised their courage, endurance, and operational discipline under demanding combat conditions. He noted that their sacrifices have produced measurable gains in degrading insurgent capabilities and disrupting hostile networks. According to him, these achievements reflect his Command Philosophy of building a highly motivated, mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive results. “Our personnel remain our greatest strength. Their resilience in the face of adversity proves that the Nigerian Air Force is prepared, focused, and battle-ready,” he said.
Air Marshal Aneke, however, cautioned that the security environment remains fluid and requires constant adaptation. He directed commanders to intensify intelligence-led operations, deepen inter-agency collaboration, and fully exploit modern technology to outpace evolving threats. He underscored the importance of standardised training, predictive maintenance, and rapid logistics support as pillars of sustained combat effectiveness. The meeting featured detailed operational briefings and interactive reviews, with Branch Chiefs and senior officers contributing to a unified operational roadmap.
The CAS assured Nigerians that the Nigerian Air Force is maintaining relentless operational momentum and will not yield ground to forces that threaten national stability. He emphasised that every operational decision is guided by the protection of civilians, national assets, and territorial integrity. “The Nigerian Air Force stands as a shield over the nation. We remain vigilant, aggressive against threats, and fully aligned with our constitutional duty to safeguard the country,” he affirmed.
The NAF reassures the public that it’s operational posture is designed to deliver sustained security gains. The Air Force, he said, will continue to evolve, strengthen partnerships, and apply decisive airpower until lasting peace is secured. Nigerians were urged to remain confident in the Armed Forces’ commitment, as the CAS reiterated that the path ahead is defined by resilience, professionalism, and an unshakable determination to protect the nation.
(NAF Media, 10 February 2026)
