NAF engages South-East stakeholders to strengthen peace, community trust
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), under the Air Component of Operation UDO KA, has intensified non-kinetic operations aimed at promoting peace and fostering trust among communities in the South-East region of the country.
As part of its ongoing civil-military cooperation efforts, the Air Component Commander of the Joint Task Force South-East led a strategic stakeholder engagement in ISI-UZO Local Government Area of Enugu State. The interactive forum was held in Ogbete and Agamede communities.
The engagement addressed growing concerns from residents, particularly over recent helicopter flights in the area. The NAF team provided clear explanations to demystify the operations, easing public anxiety and reinforcing transparency in military activities.
Stakeholders in attendance included the Anglican Bishop of Eha-Amufu Diocese, Right Reverend Daniel Nkemjika Olinya; the Senior Special Adviser to the Enugu State Government on Security, Honourable Vincent Onyeabor; and the Chairman of ISI-UZO LGA, Barrister Obiora Obeagu. They commended the Air Force’s initiative and called for continued collaboration to ensure sustained peace.
The outreach aligns with the Chief of the Air Staff’s command philosophy of “purposeful training and mission-oriented force development for enhanced national security.”
The initiative also integrates local perspectives into security planning and response strategies.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, emphasized the importance of building public confidence in military operations, stating, “True victory in any conflict lies not only in defeating the enemy but in winning the confidence of the people we serve.”
The NAF reiterated its commitment to complementing kinetic operations with dialogue-driven, community-based approaches to security, particularly in regions with complex socio-political dynamics.
