In a significant boost to security efforts in Nigeria’s troubled North-Central region, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has deployed additional aircraft to support Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), a joint military initiative aimed at tackling insecurity in Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba states. This development was confirmed during a high-level security meeting held on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at the Tactical Air Command headquarters in Makurdi, Benue State.
The meeting, attended by top military commanders including the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Olufemi Oluyede, and a representative of the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira,underscored the importance of inter-service collaboration in combating insecurity. Air Marshal Abubakar, after assessing the operational activities on the ground, noted that the newly deployed aircraft were already making a tangible impact on the frontlines. These air assets have enhanced operational reach, delivering real-time intelligence, close air support, and precision strikes that have effectively dismantled militia camps and criminal hideouts.
The deployment of additional aircraft is in line with the Federal Government’s broader efforts to stabilize the Middle Belt and protect law-abiding citizens. As Air Marshal Abubakar emphasized, “As long as peace is threatened, our resolve remains unshaken.” This stance reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of its citizens, particularly in regions plagued by banditry, militia activities, and communal unrest. The intensified military operations are part of a larger, coordinated strategy to ensure that communities can live and work without fear.
Residents in the affected areas have long faced violence linked to these insecurity challenges, with over 200 killed in Benue alone. The assurance by the Service Chiefs that the military operations are part of a larger strategy to bring peace and stability to the region is a welcome development. By emphasizing the significance of synergy among the Armed Forces, they highlighted the importance of collaboration in driving progress and combating insecurity.
The deployment of more troops and the enhancement of air power in the North-Central region are critical steps towards achieving the goal of a secure and peaceful Nigeria. As the military continues to work tirelessly to protect communities and dismantle criminal structures, it is clear that the path to lasting peace and security will require sustained effort and cooperation among all stakeholders. The NAF’s commitment to supporting Operation Whirl Stroke and the broader security efforts in the region is a positive step forward in addressing the complex security challenges facing Nigeria.
