By Reportcircle Abuja
The battle for Nigeria’s Northwest entered a new phase on Thursday as the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, issued a fierce charge to frontline troops in Katsina, declaring that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) would hunt down insurgents, terrorists and criminal networks “wherever they hide” and restore peace to communities under siege.
Aneke delivered the message during an operational visit to the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY) Sector 2 at the 213 Forward Operating Base, a frontline hub in the fight against banditry and terrorism.
The visit comes amid heightened pressure from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Armed Forces to deliver decisive, irreversible blows against violent non-state actors destabilising the region.
Backed by the Federal Government’s massive investments in new aircraft, advanced precision weaponry and specialised training, the CAS said the NAF has both the capacity and obligation to push harder.
But he warned that Nigeria’s security environment is becoming more ruthless, with insurgent groups evolving tactics and intensifying attacks on civilians.
Against this backdrop, Aneke reminded personnel of the sacrifices of fallen airmen, urging them to stay relentless and adaptive.
“We cannot relent for a moment,” he told the troops. “The nation is counting on us to reclaim every inch of territory challenged by insurgents and criminals.”
Addressing air and ground personnel, the Air Chief praised their resilience in one of the country’s most complex theatres of operation.
Then his tone hardened:
“We will not rest until every threat to our sovereignty is neutralised. Forests, valleys, remote villages wherever they run, our forces will find them. We will strike with precision, and we will protect our people. Our mission is clear.”
Aneke also placed welfare squarely on the table, declaring that a force engaged in high-intensity operations must be properly supported.
“A force that fights hard must also live well,” he said. “Under my leadership, your welfare, training and equipment will match your courage in the field. Your safety and morale are non-negotiable.”
The visit featured a briefing from the Air Component Commander, Air Commodore C. E. Illoh, who outlined current operational gains and emerging threat patterns across the theatre.
Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Idris, Air Officer Commanding Special Operations Command, assured the CAS that troops remain fully committed to his strategic vision and the broader campaign plan.
The CAS also inspected a range of operational and administrative facilities including engineering, logistics, medical, sporting and recreational infrastructure signalling that readiness on the ground remains as crucial as dominance in the air.
In a closing durbar with officers, airmen and airwomen, Aneke spoke with a blend of pride and urgency. “Millions sleep in peace because you stay awake,” he said.
“This fight is bigger than defeating enemies; it is about securing our future.”
He directed personnel to make every mission count by leveraging actionable intelligence and synchronising air operations with ground manoeuvres.
Air Marshal Aneke’s visit to Sector 2 underscores the NAF’s renewed push for intelligence-led, precision-driven warfare one designed not only to dismantle threat networks but to deliver lasting security across the Northwest and beyond.
