By Emmanuel Obisue
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Christopher Musa, has vowed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria will bring justice to victims of recent violent attacks, as he outlined significant progress in military operations during an expanded engagement with media executives in Abuja on Thursday.
Speaking at the Defence Headquarters, General Musa acknowledged the tragic killings in Yelwata, Benue State, and other areas, stating that the military remains “fully committed to ensuring that justice is served and that peace and stability are restored to all corners of Nigeria”. He emphasized that the armed forces have embraced a Whole-of-Society Approach to tackle a growing list of adaptive security threats.
“This platform allows us to present a clear and factual scorecard of our operations and activities over the past 2 years. More importantly, it provides an opportunity for open dialogue, where the media and members of the public can ask pressing questions and the Service Chiefs and heads of security agencies can respond with sincerity and responsibility,” the CDS declared.
In his detailed briefing, Chief of Air Staff, CAS, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar harped on the transformation within the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, revealing significant acquisitions and operational milestones.
According to him, the NAF received 15 new aircraft in two years and expects 49 more by the end of 2026, including advanced attack helicopters and fighter jets. This has allowed the NAF to fly over 9,500 operational hours across counterterrorism, anti-banditry and anti-oil theft missions, he said.
“Our air operations have neutralised several high-value targets, dismantled logistics networks, and restored hope to communities plagued by insurgency. From June 2023 to date, over 3,496 terrorists were neutralized, while 775 structures/logistics and 218 combat vehicles were destroyed by the Air Component Operation HADIN KAI in the Northeast,” Air Marshal Abubakar stated.
He also revealed progress in aircraft maintenance and local reactivation capabilities, helping the NAF reach a 72% average serviceability rate. Nonetheless, he cited funding constraints, operational overstretch, and international arms procurement delays as key challenges hampering effectiveness.
As the session concluded, General Musa reiterated the military’s commitment to national security, highlighting the importance of accurate media reporting. “The media is not just a supporting actor but a central player. Nigerians are deeply interested in understanding their security situation and future prospects; hence, the narratives you shape as media professionals will significantly influence public sentiment, national unity and peace building,” he said.
