Nigerian Air Force Must Maintain Air Power to Defeat Terrorism: CAS

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) must uphold a high standard of professionalism and decisive air power to effectively defeat terrorism within the country, according to the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke.

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While fulfilling our constitutional duties and strategic objectives, it is imperative to recognise that operational success depends fundamentally on safety being an integral component of the processes of planning, decision-making, and execution.

Speaking at the first Nigerian Air Force Safety Review Board (SRB) meeting of 2026 in Abuja, Aneke emphasized that the board's purpose extends beyond mere statistical review. It is designed to critically analyze underlying trends, identify systemic deficiencies, and formulate practical solutions to prevent future mishaps.

The SRB meeting provides an essential platform to assess safety performance, evaluate emerging risks, pinpoint areas for improvement, and discuss strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing safety awareness across all NAF operations. Aneke stressed that operational success is fundamentally linked to safety, which must be an integral component of planning, decision-making, and execution.

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As leaders and managers at various levels, we share a collective responsibility to cultivate a culture whereby safety is regarded not merely as an obligation but as a critical enabler of operational effectiveness.

He further stated that leaders and managers at all levels share a collective responsibility to foster a culture where safety is not just an obligation but a critical enabler of operational effectiveness. All NAF assets, including aircraft, vehicles, equipment, facilities, and personnel, must be protected through strict adherence to established safety standards and best practices.

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All assets entrusted to us, be they aircraft, vehicles, equipment, facilities, or personnel, must be protected through strict adherence to established safety standards and best practices.