The Nigerian Air Force has intensified its campaign against cross-border smuggling.
Officials warned the illegal trade fuels insecurity and undermines national economic stability.
The Nigerian Air Force has stepped up its campaign against cross-border smuggling, warning that the illegal trade not only weakens the economy but also fuels insecurity across the country.
The new drive began on Friday at the NAF Base in Port Harcourt with a sensitization lecture for officers and men of the force. The program is part of the broader vision of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, who has made professionalism and discipline key pillars of his leadership.
According to a statement shared on NAF’s official X handle, the lecture was held under the theme “The Effects of Cross-Border Smuggling and its Impact on National Security and the Image of the NAF.”
Delivering the lecture, the Air Provost Marshal, Air Vice Marshal Jibrin Usman, spoke on behalf of the Air Chief. He explained that smuggling, whether in oil, arms, or contraband goods, directly supports criminal networks and terrorist groups, while eroding public trust in the military.
“Smuggling undermines the economy, fuels insecurity, and erodes public trust,” Usman said, stressing that NAF would not tolerate indiscipline in any form. He also warned that any officer caught aiding smugglers would face severe military punishment for betraying the values of the uniform.
The Provost Marshal pointed out that the Niger Delta remains a sensitive zone, given its oil resources and long-standing issues of illegal bunkering. Personnel were therefore urged to remain vigilant and uphold the highest standards of professionalism to protect the country’s territorial and economic interests.
The sensitization effort forms part of one of the Air Chief’s command pillars known as “Deliberate Training and Mission-Oriented Force Development.” The philosophy is designed to improve the capacity of officers while strengthening their ethical orientation.
The event ended with a symbolic tree-planting exercise, which NAF described as a reminder of its dual commitment to protecting both national security and the environment.
