Military pushes air power, state synergy to tackle insecurity

From Shafa’atu Suleiman, Sokoto

The Nigerian Army has intensified calls for stronger collaboration between air power and state-level resources as part of a broader strategy to address persistent insecurity in Nigeria’s Northwest.

This position was underscored when the Headquarters 8 Division, Sokoto, hosted participants of Course 12/2026 from the Air Force War College on a national study tour focused on enhancing operational coordination and strategic response to security threats.

The study tour, which spans Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, is designed to expose senior military officers to real-time security challenges while strengthening the link between theoretical training and field operations.

Speaking during the visit, the Commandant of the College, Air Vice Marshal Gambo Mbaka, said the theme, “State Resources and Air Power: National Development in Northwest Nigeria in Focus,” reflects the growing importance of integrating military capabilities with local governance structures.

Mbaka explained that participants were divided into three teams for wider coverage, with Team A in Sokoto, Team B in Kebbi and Team C in Zamfara, to ensure comprehensive engagement across the region.

He noted that direct interaction with operational environments would deepen participants’ understanding of joint operations, particularly in tackling banditry and other asymmetric threats prevalent in the Northwest.

“While classroom instruction provides the foundation for operational planning, exposure to ongoing missions strengthens professional judgment and enhances readiness for complex security situations”

The Commandant commended the leadership of the 8 Division for its support and hospitality, describing inter-agency collaboration as a key driver of success in ongoing military operations.

Representing the General Officer Commanding, the Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Ibrahim Gambari, reaffirmed the Division’s commitment to synergy among security agencies, especially under Operation FANSAN YAMMA.

Activities during the tour included operational briefings on the structure and mandates of 8 Division, engagements with the Sokoto State Government on sub-national security strategies, and a cultural visit to the Waziri Junaidu History and Culture Bureau to enhance participants’ understanding of the region’s socio-cultural dynamics.