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From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshall Sunday Aneke, has described the recent attempt by some military officers to overthrow the democratically elected government as “shameful, shocking and wholly reprehensible”.
He said that any personnel found guilty in the shameful act would face the full wrath of the law.
The CAS, who made this known at a meeting with Branch Chiefs, Air Officers Commanding and Unit Commandants, said that the Nigerian Air Force remains loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government of the day.
He, has therefore, charged commanders to maintain unity and cohesion within the ranks while checking all forms of indiscipline and unlawful activity in their various units.
The NAF Chief who strongly condemned the coup plot, said, “I unequivocally condemn recent revelations that plans were made by certain individuals to subvert democracy and violently take over the government. Such actions are shameful, shocking, and wholly reprehensible. Any perpetrators will face the full wrath of the law.
“The Nigerian Air Force remains loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government of the day.Accordingly, commanders are reminded of their responsibility to maintain unity and cohesion within the ranks while checking all forms of indiscipline and unlawful activity”.
Speaking on the global security environment which is increasingly uncertain and complex, marked by renewed great-power competition whose effects are now evident in Africa, the CAS, said the withdrawal of some traditional partners from parts of the Sahel, and the growing interest of other global powers in establishing a security footprint on the continent carry serious implications for Nigeria’s national security and defenceposture.
He further stated that Nigeria’s recent designation by the United States as a country of particular concern has attracted globalinterest in Nigeria’s security challenges and heightened urgency of decisive action.
“Within our immediate neighbourhood, the Sahel remains highly unstable due to the expansion of jihadist groups linked to Islamic State and Al-Qaeda. Military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have disrupted security cooperation and created gaps exploited by armed groups. Consequently, violence has intensified and now threatens to spill into coastal West African states like Benin Republic and Nigeria”.
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The CAS, while noting that the security situation has recorded modest improvement domestically, however pointed out that “insurgency in the North East, widespread banditry and kidnapping-for-ransom in the North West and North Central regions, as well as farmer–herder conflicts, persist.
“Of particular concern is the recent expansion of Islamic State West Africa Province activities into Kwara State, an alarming trend that must be decisively reversed”.
In the security situation in the Niger Dekta region, Aneke said “It is heartwarming to note that over the past three months, insecurity in the Niger Delta has declined, as joint operations have significantly reduced pipeline breaches and helped to raise crude oil output to about 2.2 million barrels per day, a marked improvement on earlier levels. “Nevertheless, criminal exploitation of oil facilities remains a challenge that we must continue to confront.
On the security situation in the South East, the NAF Chief said “On a positive the security situation in the South East has improved remarkably, as joint security operations have dealt decisive blows to separatist elements. “The five-year “sit-at-home” syndrome has been largely dismantled, leading to the gradual restoration of normal economic and social activities across the region”.
The CAS who also spoke on the role of the NAF in the forthcoming elections, said “With general elections approximately one year away and political campaigns commencing this year, the Nigerian Air Force must uphold the highest standards of professionalism and political neutrality. Our role remains to support civil authorities and safeguard democratic processes without partisanship”.
The CAS who described the meeting as critical, said it would among other review of performance during his first 100 days, briefs by Air Officers Commanding, and presentations by eminent military and civilian resource persons on key areas such as the UAV Development Roadmap and refining air power in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency campaign.
“I expect frank and solutions-oriented discussions that translate into practical decisions and measurable improvements across the Service.I urge us all to approach this meeting with unity, purpose, and strategic clarity. Together, we will continue to build “a highly motivated, professional, and mission-ready force capable, of delivering decisive airpower effects in synergy with surface forces for the realization of national security objectives”.
“We are in a season of renewed hope and expectation. The aspirations of millions of Nigerians rest, in part, on what we do here — on how effectively we carry out our duties and safeguard the territorial integrity of our country. Let me be clear: we will not disappoint them.
“Once again, I express my profound gratitude to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his visionaryand exemplary leadership. We solemnly pledge that it is our sacred duty to safeguard national security by translating his vision into decisive action, through operational excellence and selfless service to the defenceand stability of our great nation”.
