The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) conducted over 5,000 operational sorties and executed more than 1,200 air interdictions between June 2023 and October 2025, significantly contributing to counter-insurgency and internal security operations across the country. The data was disclosed by the immediate past Chief of the Air Staff, retired Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, during his Flying-Out Parade at NAF Base, Abuja.
Air Marshal Abubakar detailed that the NAF intensified precision airstrikes and broadened intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions to support ground forces. These operations were predominantly focused on the North-East, North-West, North-Central, and South-South regions, areas historically affected by insurgency, banditry, and criminal oil theft. The heightened operational tempo directly disrupted terrorist supply lines, degraded insurgent capabilities, and provided crucial air cover for troops engaged in Operation Hadin Kai and other joint task force missions.
Beyond counter-insurgency, the NAF’s air assets were actively deployed in anti-banditry and anti-oil theft operations. These efforts aimed to enhance security and foster stability in impacted communities, particularly in the Niger Delta and northwestern states. The retired chief attributed these operational gains to improved sortie generation rates and aircraft serviceability, which ensured a sustained presence over critical theatres.
He further highlighted that advancements in training, a reinforced maintenance culture, and heightened aviation safety protocols were fundamental to increasing mission readiness across all operational zones. These institutional improvements, he noted, enabled the force to maintain a consistent and effective combat posture.
Paying tribute to fallen personnel, Air Marshal Abubakar urged all officers, airmen, and airwomen to uphold professionalism, inter-agency cooperation, and an unwavering commitment to national security. He specifically called on the service to fully support the current Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, to consolidate existing tactical successes. The transition, he stressed, is vital for ensuring the Nigerian Air Force remains agile, responsive, and combat-ready in fulfilling its mandate to safeguard the nation. The disclosed statistics underscore a period of intensified aerial engagement in Nigeria’s multi-faceted security landscape.
