NAF boosts operations in North-Central with new aircraft to fight rising regional insecurity.
Air Chief leads joint mission, promises unrelenting pressure on armed groups threatening peace.
In a renewed push to restore peace and order across Nigeria’s North-Central region, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced the deployment of additional air assets under the banner of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS). This strategic move is aimed at intensifying military efforts to tackle rising insecurity in the region, particularly in states like Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, made the announcement during an official visit to the Tactical Air Command (TAC) headquarters in Makurdi, Benue State, on Monday, June 17, 2025. The visit was part of a broader assessment mission to evaluate the operational readiness and effectiveness of air operations supporting ground troops in conflict-prone areas.
During his visit, Air Marshal Abubakar held a high-level joint meeting with other senior military leaders, including the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, and a representative of the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira. Also present were key field commanders and senior officers involved in the ongoing multi-agency security operations.
Providing updates on the security situation and recent military achievements, Air Marshal Abubakar disclosed that the newly deployed aircraft have already made significant contributions to mission success. He noted that these assets are equipped with advanced surveillance and combat capabilities, which have enabled the Nigerian military to deliver real-time intelligence, conduct precision airstrikes, and provide close air support to ground forces.
According to the Air Chief, the intensified aerial operations have led to the neutralization of several militia camps and criminal hideouts. These efforts, he said, are consistent with the Federal Government’s broader commitment to stabilizing the Middle Belt region and protecting innocent civilians from the threats posed by armed groups and criminal elements.
“Our deployment of these additional aircraft is part of a coordinated strategy to extend our operational reach and disrupt the activities of hostile elements who seek to destabilize communities,” Abubakar stated. “We are working round the clock to ensure that no corner of the North-Central zone remains vulnerable.”
He further emphasized that the military will continue to mount pressure on all threat actors until full peace and security are restored. “As long as peace is threatened, our resolve remains unshaken,” he declared, assuring citizens of the Air Force’s commitment to national security.
The Service Chiefs at the meeting also reiterated the importance of joint military collaboration and inter-service synergy in achieving operational success. They collectively stressed that cooperation among the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force is crucial to sustaining momentum and achieving lasting peace in affected areas.
Citizens were urged to support security agencies by providing useful information that can aid operations. The military high command assured the public that the ongoing operations were part of a well-coordinated national security strategy aimed at ensuring that communities across the region can live, work, and thrive in safety.
With the continued deployment of advanced technology and well-coordinated inter-agency operations, the Nigerian military hopes to turn the tide in the fight against insecurity and pave the way for long-term peace and development in the North-Central region.
