“NAF’s Firepower Soars: New Aircraft Deliver Devastating Blow to Terrorists, Oil Thieves – Air Chief”

“NAF’s Firepower Soars: New Aircraft Deliver Devastating Blow to Terrorists, Oil Thieves – Air Chief”

Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has said that the recent acquisition of nine brand-new aircraft has greatly enhanced the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF) operational effectiveness, enabling more precise and sustained missions across the country.

He made this known while presenting a paper titled “Military Strategic Leadership in Air Operations: My Perspective” at the Air Force War College in Makurdi.

Air Marshal Abubakar noted that the strategic investment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has significantly strengthened the NAF’s capabilities, reinforcing its readiness to address national security challenges.

He said: “These platforms are already making a measurable impact in key operations geared towards enhancing national security.

“These acquisitions will further expand the service’s capacity to execute complex missions and maintain momentum in ongoing air operations.”

According to him, the Air Force is expecting an additional 49 aircraft, with several scheduled for delivery in the coming months.

He said last year alone, NAF flew over 4,500 hours across 2,304 sorties, executing nearly 2,000 counterinsurgency missions.

“Additionally, over 2,600 anti-banditry sorties were carried out, resulting in 4,670 hours of flight time,” the NAF boss said.

“In support of efforts to combat economic sabotage, the NAF conducted 366 sorties targeting crude oil theft and illegal refining, amassing more than 1,450 hours of flight time.

“These figures are not mere statistics, they represent real missions, real risks, and real outcomes.”

He revealed that from June 2023 to date, airstrikes by the NAF eliminated 3,496 terrorists in the Northeast, while more than 121,000 insurgents and their families surrendered to security forces.

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“Through the strategic deployment of both kinetic and non-kinetic air power, we have disrupted oil theft syndicates and secured critical infrastructure,” he said.

The Air Chief referenced data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, which recorded a 13% increase in crude oil and condensate production in Q4 2024. He attributed the progress to enhanced air operations and effective inter-agency collaboration.

He concluded by urging upcoming Air Force leaders to step up to the strategic demands of command: “Your leadership, professionalism and resolve will determine the Air Force’s ability to meet current and future security threats.”