Nigerian Air Force at 61 and the relentless battle against insurgents
By Philip Nwosu
In the still air above Maiduguri, the low hum of a Super Tucano aircraft breaks the silence. Below, soldiers on the ground ready themselves, eyes lifted towards the sky, knowing that the mission unfolding above them could shift the balance in their favour.
The scenario paint above had played out repeatedly in Nigeria’s Northeast over the past decade, a reflection of the central role the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has come to play in the country’s war against insurgency.
As the Nigerian Air Force marks its 61st anniversary this year, it does so not in the shadow of celebration alone, but in the long, unending glare of national expectation. In a country facing multiple internal security crises—from Boko Haram and ISWAP in the Northeast to bandits in the Northwest and armed and aggressive oil thieves in the South south—the NAF has evolved into not just an air power, but a national symbol of resistance, resolve, and resilience.
When the NAF was officially established on April 18, 1964, it was with the vision of bolstering Nigeria’s defence and asserting its sovereignty in the air. But the initial years were years of humility, With a limited fleet and heavily reliant on foreign training partnerships, the force spent decades developing its foundational capabilities.
It wasn’t until the 21st century—particularly post-2009—that the force began its full transformation. The resurgence of Boko Haram, a militant Islamist outfit, that at its height controlled vast territories in Borno and Yobe states, forced a recalibration of Nigeria’s military strategy.
The army could hold ground, but the skies were the NAF’s domain. In the words of a retired NAF officer, former fighter pilot and instructor, who spoke on condition of anonymity, “it was clear that the war would not be won with boots alone. We needed wings.”
Between 2014 and 2021, the Nigerian military, under various administrations, funneled substantial resources into air power, purchasing platforms that could serve both offensive and intelligence functions. The arrival of 12 A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft from the United States was seen as a game-changer.
Flying low and fast, these aircraft have since carried out surgical strikes on insurgent camps in the Sambisa Forest and the Lake Chad region. Surveillance drones like the CH-3A and Wing Loong II became vital tools for gathering real-time intelligence and tracking militant movement.
In an interraction with a NAF officer stationed at the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai in Maiduguri, he described how insurgent tactics have also evolved. “They use women as lookouts, move through dry riverbeds, and even plant decoys. It’s a mental war as much as a physical one.
“But with better intelligence and precision targeting, we’ve taken out commanders that once seemed untouchable.” He said
The officer who could one be identified as Eagle One (not real name) spoke on condition of anonymity, especially as the battle against the insurgents is on going.
In 2023 alone, NAF airstrikes reportedly eliminated over 1,200 terrorists and destroyed dozens of their hideouts, according to figures released by the Defence Headquarters.
While the Northeast remains the focal point, the NAF’s footprint is evident across other theatres of operation such as the forests of Zamfara and Katsina state, where bandits have wreaked havoc on farming communities and abducted hundreds.
The NAF, it was learnt provides close air support to the Army and Police during operations. Aircraft like the Mi-35 helicopter gunships have been used in rapid-response missions where intelligence suggests imminent attacks or movement of arms convoys.
Another NAF official said residents of vulnerable communities, once skeptical of military promises, now often report a sense of relief when they hear the roar of an aircraft overhead. In many villages, NAF planes have become synonymous with safety—or at the very least, deterrence.
Yet, these operations are not without controversy.
In January 2017, tragedy struck in Rann, Borno State, when a NAF fighter jet mistakenly bombed a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs), killing over 100 civilians and injuring aid workers. The incident sparked nationwide outrage and raised difficult questions about rules of engagement and the fog of war.
NAF authorities acknowledged the error and initiated internal investigations, but for many, the scar remains.
The NAF through its then spokesman, AVM Edward Gabkwet said mistakes were made in the accidental airstrike.
But residents say for saying it was a mistake was not enough, as many lost their beloved ones and those were not dead were left with serious injuries.
“They said it was a mistake. But my daughter was killed, and that can’t be reversed,” said Halima Mustapha, a survivor of the Rann bombing. “I know they’re fighting for Nigeria, but we also need them to be careful with us.”
Since then, NAF has implemented stricter verification protocols and integrated more surveillance technology to avoid similar incidents. Still, as with most asymmetric warfare, the lines between combatant and civilian often blur—an operational nightmare for any military force.
Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, the current Chief of the Air Staff, has prioritized modernization, local capacity development, and inter-agency coordination. Since his appointment in 2023, the NAF has accelerated local maintenance of aircraft and expanded its Research and Development Centre in Kaduna.
“Modern warfare is about agility and adaptability,” said Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, “We’re investing in simulation-based training, indigenous drone development, and building a tech-savvy corps of officers.”
The NAF also established partnerships with Brazil, Pakistan, and South Africa to enhance pilot training and aircraft servicing capacity. The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) continues to graduate engineers, technicians, and drone operators yearly.
Women are also increasingly visible, breaking the gender barrier in pilot and technical roles. One standout is Flight Lieutenant Kafayat Sanni, NAF’s female fighter pilot, whose symbolic role inspires the next generation.
Beyond warfare, the NAF has embraced humanitarian interventions as part of its broader strategy. In conflict-affected areas, it has conducted medical outreach programs, distributed relief materials, and supported rebuilding efforts.
In 2024, the NAF launched a community engagement initiative in Yobe State, offering free surgeries and health screenings to over 2,000 people in rural communities.
“We are not just warriors; we are peace builders,” said Air Commodore Suleiman Idris, Coordinator of the NAF Civil-Military Cooperation Initiative. “Winning the war means winning hearts, too.”
These soft-power moves have helped rebuild trust, especially in areas previously suspicious of government forces. Still, such gains can quickly unravel without consistent community engagement and follow-through.
Like all public institutions in Nigeria, the NAF operates in a political environment. Questions around procurement transparency have dogged the force, particularly with the billions spent on aircraft purchases over the last decade.
A 2021 Senate probe into arms procurement revealed irregularities in contract awards involving defense spending. While the NAF leadership has promised reforms and openness, defense analysts insist more needs to be done to ensure public accountability.
“We need a long-term air power doctrine, not knee-jerk acquisitions, Procurement should be strategic, transparent, and aligned with threats—not just photo ops,” said Dr. Olufemi Akanbi, a defence policy expert.
As it enters its 62nd year, the Nigerian Air Force is at a crossroads. It has demonstrated capacity, courage, and adaptability in some of the country’s darkest hours. But the future will demand even more.
Artificial Intelligence, satellite-guided munitions, and swarm drone technology are fast becoming global standards. Regional threats—from Sahel militants to piracy in the Gulf of Guinea—require a proactive and technologically sophisticated air force.
More critically, there is the human question: Are Nigeria’s pilots and airmen being adequately supported, trained, and protected from the psychological toll of sustained conflict?
Air Marshal Abubakar recently announced plans for a mental health programme within the force and improved housing for personnel. Whether these translate into lasting morale and performance improvements remains to be seen.
At 61, the Nigerian Air Force is no longer the quiet sibling of the Army and Navy. It is now a frontline actor in the country’s internal wars and a symbol of hope for communities under siege.
Yet, as insurgents adapt and new threats emerge, the NAF must not rest on its laurels. The skies remain contested—not just with enemies but with expectations. The fight for Nigeria’s future is not only on the ground; it is also being fought several thousand feet above it.
And as the nation looks up, it expects not just thunder from the wings, but precision, humanity, and vision.