Air Chief orders sustained operations against bandits

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Kelvin Akene, has directed Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel to sustain relentless air operations against bandits, stressing that the fight against armed groups requires continuous pressure, high readiness and strict discipline.

Speaking during a durbar with officers, airmen and airwomen of the Air Training Command and co-located units in Kaduna, the CAS said Nigeria’s banditry challenge would only be degraded through persistent, intelligence-driven airpower applied in support of surface forces.

He noted that his leadership focus on personnel welfare was not separate from combat operations but central to sustaining the operational tempo needed to deny bandits freedom of movement and regrouping space.

“A motivated and well-supported force is better positioned to maintain pressure, retain the initiative and deliver decisive effects against bandits,” he said, describing his command policy as “Welfare for Enhanced Warfare.”

Air Marshal Akene, on his maiden operational visit to the Air Training Command since assuming office as the 23rd CAS, said he had reviewed operational gaps affecting the Air Force’s ability to sustain long-term pressure on security threats and developed a command philosophy to address them.

“This philosophy is a working framework aimed at sustaining a highly motivated, professional and mission-ready force capable of delivering continuous airpower effects in synergy with surface forces,” he explained.

He stressed that success against banditry depends on consistency rather than sporadic operations, warning that any lapse in discipline, readiness or maintenance could create openings for bandit groups to exploit.

“This is not the time to slow down. Bandits adapt quickly. We must fight smart, remain disciplined and maintain operational momentum,” the CAS said.

Commending the Air Training Command for its role in preparing personnel for frontline operations, he said the quality of training, maintenance and logistics directly affects the Air Force’s ability to keep aircraft and crews available for sustained missions.

The CAS added that standardised training, mission-focused capability development, and the use of innovation and emerging technologies would strengthen the NAF’s capacity to maintain continuous pressure on bandit enclaves.

He urged commanders to keep personnel, aircraft and weapon systems at the highest state of readiness and encouraged open feedback on welfare and operational challenges.

“We will continue to build an agile and capable Nigerian Air Force that can sustain pressure on bandits and deliver lasting security outcomes,” he said.

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