By Joy Odor Reportcircle News
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has signalled a fresh push to sharpen its combat edge in the fight against insurgency, as the Commandant of the Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre (AWDC), Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Jibia, took Nigeria’s airpower doctrine straight to the battlefield.
In a strategic operational assessment visit to the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) in Maiduguri, Jibia engaged frontline commanders and aircrew in what military sources describe as a deliberate move to tighten joint-force integration and enhance mission effectiveness in the counter-insurgency theatre.
The visit comes at a time when the Armed Forces are intensifying efforts to consolidate recent gains against insurgent groups across the North-East, with airpower increasingly central to intelligence, surveillance, precision strikes and close air support.
Addressing personnel during the visit, Jibia said the engagement was designed to directly interface with aircrew deployed under Operation HADIN KAI and formally introduce himself to the Theatre Commander following his appointment as Commandant of the AWDC.
More significantly, he said the visit reflects the operational philosophy of the Chief of the Air Staff, which places deliberate training and mission-focused force development at the core of airpower dominance.
“This visit is about ensuring that doctrine, training and operations are tightly aligned with the realities of the battlefield,” Jibia noted, stressing that effective airpower begins with airmindedness, a professional culture that blends skill, discipline and operational awareness.
He said the Nigerian Air Force has stepped up efforts to deepen synergy across services, expand joint training and promote integrated operations, describing these as non-negotiable pillars of a modern fighting force.
The AWDC Commandant paid glowing tribute to the Theatre Commander, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, whom he described as both a mentor and a visionary leader.
He commended OPHK troops for what he called “remarkable operational successes,” praising their gallantry and resilience in the face of sustained combat pressure.
“Our troops are not alone,” Jibia assured.
“The Armed Forces and well-meaning Nigerians stand firmly behind you as you work to restore lasting peace and stability to this region.”
He further pledged that the AWDC would provide sustained doctrinal and training support to OPHK, adding that operational concerns raised during briefings would be carefully reviewed and addressed to improve mission outcomes.
On arrival in Maiduguri, the AWDC Commandant received detailed briefings on ongoing operations, giving him first-hand insight into battlefield dynamics and enabling informed recommendations aimed at boosting operational effectiveness.
Responding, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar congratulated Jibia on his promotion and appointment, describing him as a seasoned pilot whose depth of experience would further strengthen joint operations in the theatre.
He welcomed the visit, noting that OPHK stood to gain significantly from the AWDC’s expertise in doctrine development and joint training.
The Theatre Commander reaffirmed OPHK’s commitment to adopting innovative ideas from the AWDC, particularly in joint exercises and integrated operational planning.
He also acknowledged the Nigerian Air Force’s sustained investment in capacity development and its critical role in providing operational support across the theatre.
The visit drew senior military leadership, including the Deputy Theatre Commander, Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, Component Commanders, the Chief of Staff Headquarters Theatre Command, Brigadier General Sani Ahmed, and other principal staff officers.
Highlights included operational briefings, interactive sessions with personnel, exchange of souvenirs and group photographs.
For the Nigerian Air Force, the message from Maiduguri was unmistakable: airpower doctrine is no longer confined to classrooms and manuals, it is being tested, refined and deployed where it matters most, at the heart of the war.
