Nigeria’s Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has ordered Nigerian Air Force commanders to sustain aggressive operations against bandits and other criminal elements who have been terrorizing the country.
He urged them to fight smart, retain the initiative, and deliver decisive results during his maiden visit to Nigerian Air Force formations at the Air Force Base, Kaduna, on Thursday.
During his visit, Aneke addressed officers, airmen, and airwomen in a durbar organised in his honour.
Aneke explained that the visit was not a routine engagement but an opportunity for direct interaction with personnel, exchange of views, and reaffirmation of shared responsibilities in line with the mission and values of the Nigerian Air Force.
On his assumption of office as the 23rd Chief of Air Staff, Aneke said he had undertaken a comprehensive review of the challenges affecting the operational effectiveness of the Air Force and subsequently articulated a command philosophy aimed at enhancing performance.
“My command philosophy is to enhance and sustain a highly motivated, professional, and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive air power effects in synergy with surface forces in pursuit of national security objectives,” he said.
He further emphasized that his “responsibility is to ensure that your morale remains high at all times. When personnel are motivated, you don’t need to talk too much; they understand the job and deliver faster and better.”
He also called on commanders to collaborate effectively with other arms of the armed forces and security agencies whenever deployed in combined operations.
He further commended officers and men of the Headquarters, Air Training Command, and other co-located units for their professionalism, dedication, and support roles.
He noted that every role within the Air Force, from cleaners and engineers to medical personnel, air traffic controllers, and pilots, was vital, stressing that the effectiveness of the service depended on the strength of its weakest link.
“The quality of our operations depends directly on the quality of our training and sustainment systems. This is why the Air Training Command is critical; it is the foundation upon which everything else is built,” he said.
He then stressed that, “Banditry must be met with relentless pressure. We must fight smart, using the least effort to achieve maximum results, while retaining the initiative and dictating how the battle is fought.”
He charged commanders to maintain the highest level of readiness for personnel, aircraft, and weapon systems under their command, saying proactive leadership and discipline were non-negotiable.
Aneke then assured personnel of prompt payment of allowances, enhanced medical support for personnel and their families, and provision of essential tools required for duty.
“I am operating a policy of enhanced welfare. When I take care of you, I expect you to do the job. A motivated officer, airman, or airwoman is more alert, disciplined, and effective,” he said.
He added that intelligence-driven operations, a proactive safety culture, and efficient use of available resources would remain the focus of his leadership, noting that all personnel, regardless of their roles, were critical stakeholders in mission success.
