By Sumaila Ogbaje, Information Company of Nigeria (NAN)
In a safety atmosphere more and more formed by uneven threats, Nigeria’s air energy functionality has emerged as a decisive ingredient within the nation’s struggle towards terrorism and violent criminality, with the Nigerian Air Pressure (NAF) taking part in a central function in operational successes recorded in 2025.
From the insurgency-ravaged North-East to bandit-infested forests of the North-West and elements of the North-Central, air belongings have supplied pace, attain and precision, reshaping the dynamics of joint army operations and strengthening nationwide safety outcomes.
Safety consultants say the effectiveness of air energy in 2025 displays sustained funding in platforms, personnel coaching, intelligence integration and inter-service cooperation, all of which have enhanced the armed forces’ capacity to reply quickly to evolving threats.
Nigeria’s safety challenges in 2025 remained complicated and multi-dimensional, starting from terrorism and banditry to kidnapping, separatist violence and transnational legal actions.
These threats, usually characterised by mobility, concealment inside civilian populations and exploitation of adverse terrain, have bolstered the relevance of air energy as a strategic enabler.
In accordance with defence analysts, air operations present situational consciousness and fast strike functionality that floor forces alone can not obtain, notably in huge, forested or inaccessible areas.
In opposition to this backdrop, the Nigerian Air Pressure sustained a excessive operational tempo all year long, deploying fighter plane, assault helicopters, transport platforms and unmanned aerial autos throughout a number of theatres.
The Chief of Air Employees, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has persistently underscored the significance of air energy as a drive multiplier in modern warfare.
Aneke famous that air belongings allow the Armed Forces to form the battlespace, disrupt enemy logistics and deny hostile parts freedom of motion, thereby lowering dangers to troops on the bottom.
He highlighted precision engagements, tactical mobility, and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) as key strengths of air energy which have considerably strengthened joint operations throughout the nation.
“We should fly smarter and strike tougher not solely to neutralise threats but in addition to guard the lives and properties of Nigerians.
“Each mission should mirror professionalism, function, and patriotism.
“Our operations should be intelligence-led, coordinated, and centered. We’ll proceed to work intently with the sister companies and different safety businesses to make sure a united entrance within the struggle towards terrorism and criminality,” he stated.
In 2025, NAF plane had been actively engaged in operations reminiscent of Operation HADIN KAI, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Operation ENDURING PEACE and Operation WHIRL STROKE, offering shut air help and conducting interdiction missions.
Army assessments point out that sustained air strikes and reconnaissance operations degraded terrorist infrastructure, compelled legal parts to disperse and restricted their capability to conduct coordinated assaults.
A defining characteristic of NAF operations in 2025 was the expanded deployment of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
Persistent aerial surveillance enabled the identification of terrorist hideouts, monitoring of actions and well timed help to floor operations.
A take a look at the NAF’s operational engagement through the yr underneath evaluate signifies that the air elements of the varied operations executed quite a lot of precision airstrikes, destroying a number of terrorists’ hideouts and logistics bases in addition to killing scores of terrorists and bandits.
Following the current U.S led precision airstrikes on recognized terrorists’ encampment in Sokoto State on Dec. 25, the NAF efficiently launched huge strikes on two key bandits’ enclaves in Zamfara on Dec. 29, eliminating dozens of the criminals.
Within the North East, greater than 80 terrorists have been eradicated together with key commanders, in a collection of ground-to-air coordinated onslaughts towards the Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters between Dec. 25 and Dec. 29, in Banki and Bama axis of Borno.
In accordance with the air chief, the combination of ISR platforms with strike belongings shortened response occasions and improved operational accuracy.
Consultants word that intelligence-driven air operations additionally assist minimise collateral harm, a important consideration in counter-terrorism campaigns that rely on civilian cooperation.
Operational successes recorded through the yr had been largely attributed to improved synergy among the many Military, Navy and Air Pressure.
NAF plane supplied shut air help throughout clearance operations, troop insertions and extraction missions, usually underneath difficult situations.
The Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, had throughout his stint as defence chief, repeatedly burdened that fashionable safety threats require a unified method, with every service contributing its distinctive strengths.
He stated that improved coordination had enhanced operational tempo, protected personnel and allowed for fast exploitation of intelligence.
“Air energy stays central to the successes recorded throughout a number of theatres. The expectations positioned on you’re excessive as a result of your elevated place requires clear imaginative and prescient, regular judgement, and a permanent sense of function.
“No Service can reach isolation. Air operations obtain full potential solely when built-in with the Military, Navy, and all nationwide safety businesses,” he stated.
Past fight operations, air mobility remained a important contribution of the Nigerian Air Pressure to nationwide safety in 2025.
Transport plane and helicopters moved troops, tools and provides throughout operational areas, notably in areas with restricted street entry.
This functionality enabled fast reinforcement, casualty evacuation and redeployment in response to rising threats.
Analysts describe air mobility as a key benefit in counter-terrorism operations, the place pace and adaptability are sometimes decisive.
Consistent with its constitutional mandate, the NAF additionally undertook humanitarian and civil help missions through the yr.
Plane had been deployed for medical evacuation, catastrophe response and supply of aid supplies to displaced populations, balancing fight operations with civil help, thereby strengthening public belief and nationwide resilience.
Army Chiefs had all the time emphasised that army operations should all the time be guided by the safety of civilians and help to civil authorities.
Operational good points in 2025 had been underpinned by ongoing modernisation and capability improvement inside the Air Pressure, reminiscent of fleet upgrades, improved upkeep practices and enhanced coaching programmes elevated plane availability and mission readiness.
The CAS, Air Marshal Aneke, had said that funding in human capability stays central to sustaining air energy effectiveness, stressing the significance of professionalism and self-discipline.
Worldwide partnerships and coaching exchanges with pleasant nations additional strengthened operational requirements and technical experience.
Despite the notable achievements, safety consultants warning that air energy alone can not resolve Nigeria’s safety challenges.
Excessive operational calls for place stress on personnel and tools, whereas adversaries proceed to adapt their techniques.
Stakeholders have emphasised the necessity for a complete method that mixes army motion with governance, improvement and intelligence-led policing.
As Nigeria seems forward, air energy is predicted to stay a cornerstone of nationwide safety technique.
Analysts agree that continued funding in ISR, precision strike functionality and joint operations will likely be important to sustaining good points.
For a lot of observers, the Nigerian Air Pressure’s efficiency in 2025 demonstrates the decisive affect of air energy when successfully built-in into nationwide defence efforts, reinforcing Nigeria’s resolve to defeat terrorism and restore lasting peace. (NANFeatures)
