The newly confirmed Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sunday Aneke has pledged his committment to ending the activities of insurgents across the northern states of the country.
Speaking at the Nigerian Senate during his screening on Wednesday, Aneke said the Nigerian Air Force, under his leadership, will keep the insurgents on the run without the needed time for them to think or plan attacks.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Aneke also pledged to lead a versatile, disciplined, and lethal institution capable of keeping the terrorists on their toes.
He explained, “I use the word lethal in a professional sense.”
He further added that, “because a man running from you will not have the time to plan to hurt you.”
Aneke noted that his leadership approach is centred on consistent training, the use of technology, and the implementation of safety measures, as well as strategic innovation to combat insurgency across states.
He also emphasised that, “true military power is not measured by brute force but by superior intellect and adaptability.”
According to the new CAS, he is committed to building an institution that would be focused on responding swiftly and aiming to strike with precision and needed intelligence against criminals.
He also said that NAF will act intelligently across all spectrums of military operations with a force defined not only by strength, but professionalism and purpose.
“Beyond the individual merit of his appointment, AVM Aneke’s confirmation carries constitutional and strategic significance.
“Constitutionally, it reinforces the principle of civilian oversight in military leadership and underscores the National Assembly’s role in ensuring transparency and democratic accountability within the Armed Forces.
“Strategically, it marks continuity and confidence in a leadership transition aimed at consolidating NAF’s modernisation drive, expanding airpower projection, and deepening civil-military trust,” Ejodame said.
Aneke’s confirmation comes days after his appointment by President Bola Tinubu on Friday, October 25.
The president had also appointed General Olufemi Oluyede as the Chief of Defence Staff; Chief of Army Staff, Major General W. Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral I. Abbas and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General E.A.P. Undiendeye.
All the service chiefs’ appointments were also confirmed on Wednesday, October 29, by the Senate after due screening by lawmakers.
