Dare Babalola
The immediate past Chief of the Air Staff, retired Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, announced that the Nigerian Air Force conducted over 5,000 operational sorties and executed more than 1,200 air interdictions in counter-insurgency and internal security operations between June 2023 and October 2025.
He made this disclosure on Saturday during his Flying-Out Parade ceremony held at NAF Base, Abuja, saying the Air Force intensified precision air strikes, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions in support of ground forces across the North-East, North-West, North-Central, and South-South regions.
He stated that the expanded operational tempo disrupted terrorist supply routes, degraded insurgent capabilities, and provided decisive air cover for troops in Operation Hadin Kai and other joint task forces.
Abubakar added, “In addition to counter-insurgency, our air assets supported anti-banditry and anti-oil theft operations, enhancing security and enabling stability for affected communities.
“Improved sortie generation and aircraft serviceability are critical to sustained operational presence.”
He also highlighted that the service’s operational gains were reinforced by enhanced training, maintenance culture, and aviation safety, which increased mission readiness across all theatres.
Paying glowing tributes to the fallen personnel, he urged officers, airmen, and airwomen to maintain professionalism, inter-agency cooperation, and unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s security.
Abubakar called on personnel to support the current CAS, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, to consolidate these operational gains and ensure the Nigerian Air Force remained agile, responsive, and combat-ready.
