Cyber Threats, Terrorism Demand Integrated Military Response, Says CAS
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has said Nigeria’s increasingly complex security challenges, including terrorism, cyber threats and organised crime, can only be effectively tackled through integrated military operations, intelligence sharing and inter-agency collaboration.
He said no single military service could secure the nation alone, stressing that modern security threats require a coordinated response that combines air power, land and maritime operations with timely intelligence.
Aneke spoke on Friday while delivering a lecture titled “Air Power and National Security: The Nigerian Air Force in Perspective” to participants of National Defence College Course 34 at the National Defence College, Abuja.
Represented before senior military officers, police personnel, officials of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and participants from allied countries, the CAS described air power as a strategic enabler that provides the speed, precision and flexibility needed to counter emerging threats.
According to him, terrorists, bandits, separatist groups and transnational criminal networks are increasingly exploiting technology, difficult terrain and civilian populations to evade detection, making intelligence-led operations and joint force integration more critical than ever.
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“No single Service can secure the nation alone. Decisive air power delivers its greatest effect in synergy with surface forces,” he said, noting that sustained operational success depends on intelligence sharing, joint planning and synchronised execution across all domains.
The CAS also warned that cyber threats, the proliferation of unmanned aerial systems, piracy, arms trafficking and information warfare are reshaping Nigeria’s security landscape.
He cautioned that hostile actors now exploit cyberspace and social media to spread disinformation, fuel divisions and undermine public confidence in state institutions, making cyber resilience and strategic communication essential components of national security.
Aneke said the Nigerian Air Force remained committed to strengthening its operational capabilities through indigenous innovation, advanced intelligence systems, emerging technologies and strategic partnerships.
He added that the Service would continue to modernise its platforms and deepen collaboration with sister services and other security agencies to enhance national security.
The Air Chief further stressed that national security extends beyond protecting territorial integrity to safeguarding democratic institutions, critical infrastructure and the nation’s economic prosperity.
He urged participants of the National Defence College, whom he described as future strategic leaders, to champion innovation, jointness and inter-agency cooperation in addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
The lecture, according to the Nigerian Air Force, reinforced its commitment to advancing strategic military leadership and leveraging air power as a force multiplier in support of national security, regional stability and international peace support operations.
By PRNigeria
