Abuja: Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshall Hassan Abubakar, has stated that the recent withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has placed a greater burden on the Nigerian military. He made this assertion during the opening of the First Quarter Meeting with Branch Chiefs, Air Officers Commanding, and Commanders.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Abubakar explained that the departure of these Sahel States from existing security frameworks has disrupted regional security dynamics. This change has significant implications for the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), which is instrumental in countering threats like Boko Haram and ISWAP across Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. With the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) opting out and Chad considering withdrawal, the MNJTF’s ability to conduct joint operations has been adversely affected.
The CAS emphasized that this situation heightens the responsibility on the Nigerian Armed Forces to support the MNJTF, requiring a more dynamic and responsive approach from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF). He stressed the need to enhance operational readiness, improve inter-agency coordination, and leverage advanced air power to address these challenges as they evolve towards 2025.
He further noted that the Sahel region remains a focal point for terrorism and insurgency, with extremist groups linked to Al-Qaeda exploiting weak governance structures to increase their influence. The porous borders in the Lake Chad Basin have facilitated the ongoing activities of these extremist elements, thereby threatening regional stability.
Abubakar also highlighted the vulnerabilities in the Gulf of Guinea, where maritime crimes such as piracy and illegal oil bunkering persist. He called for sustained aerial surveillance and stronger regional cooperation to enhance maritime security.
He concluded by underscoring the importance of a unified approach to these challenges, focusing on coordinated air operations, intelligence sharing, and strategic partnerships. The ongoing meeting aims to review Nigeria’s security landscape, assess operational successes and challenges, and outline strategies for future NAF operations.
“As the senior leadership of the Nigerian Air Force, we bear the critical responsibility of ensuring the effective deployment of air power to support national security objectives. I deeply appreciate your dedication and support and urge everyone to participate in today’s discussions with commitment and foresight,” Abubakar added.