Air chief hails FG support, highlights gains in air operations
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, has commended the Federal Government for its strategic investments in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), saying they have significantly strengthened the service’s operational capabilities and impact in national security and counterinsurgency efforts.
Air Marshal Abubakar made the remarks on Monday, May 6, 2025, while delivering a lecture titled “Military Strategic Leadership in Air Operations: My Perspective” to participants of Course 11/2025 at the Air Force War College (AFWC), Makurdi.
He noted that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has played a critical role in enhancing the NAF’s fleet with the recent delivery of nine new aircraft. “These platforms are already making a measurable impact in key operations geared towards enhancing national security,” the CAS said.
Looking ahead, he revealed that 49 additional aircraft are expected, with several scheduled for delivery in the coming months. “These acquisitions will further expand the Service’s capacity to execute complex missions and maintain momentum in ongoing air operations,” he added.
Highlighting recent achievements, Abubakar disclosed that in the past year alone, the NAF flew more than 4,500 hours across 2,304 sorties and conducted nearly 2,000 counterinsurgency missions. Anti-banditry operations accounted for 2,600 sorties and 4,670 flight hours. In addition, 366 sorties targeting oil theft and illegal refining operations yielded over 1,450 flight hours.
In the Northeast alone, the CAS reported, over 3,496 terrorists were neutralized between June 2023 and May 2025, while more than 121,000 insurgents and their families surrendered to security forces.
On economic security, Air Marshal Abubakar credited air operations under Operation DELTA SAFE with helping disrupt oil theft syndicates and protecting key national infrastructure. Citing figures from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, he said crude oil and condensate production rose by 13% in Q4 2024 compared to the same period in 2023—an improvement attributed in part to sustained air power interventions.
In closing, the Air Chief urged the next generation of Air Force leaders to embrace the complexities of strategic command. “You are the future of air power in Nigeria,” he told the officers. “Your leadership, professionalism, and resolve will shape the Air Force’s ability to respond to present and future security challenges.”
