In a bold declaration that signals a new phase for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), the newly confirmed Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has vowed to sustain relentless pressure on insurgents, saying, “We will keep them running without time to think or plan attacks.”
By Chimezie Godfrey
In a bold declaration that signals a new phase for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), the newly confirmed Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has vowed to sustain relentless pressure on insurgents, saying, “We will keep them running without time to think or plan attacks.”
AVM Aneke made this assertion during his confirmation before the National Assembly on Tuesday, October 29, 2025, pledging to lead a “versatile, disciplined, and lethal” Air Force, fully equipped to dominate the nation’s airspace and support joint military operations with speed and precision.
“I use the word lethal in a professional sense,” he clarified. “Because a man running from you will not have the time to plan to hurt you.”
The new CAS said his leadership vision rests on four key pillars — training, technology, safety, and strategic innovation — all directed toward shaping a more intelligent, adaptive, and proactive fighting force. “True military power,” he added, “is not measured by brute force but by superior intellect and adaptability.”
Following his confirmation — which came after his nomination by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 — AVM Aneke officially succeeds Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, joining other Service Chiefs on the Armed Forces Council.
Lawmakers at the session commended his operational acumen and intellectual depth, describing him as a “forward-thinking airpower strategist.” They recalled his notable achievements as Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command, where he strengthened strategic airlift capability, enhanced joint operations, and improved responsiveness in complex security environments.
His leadership in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations was equally praised for its vital role in Nigeria’s counter-insurgency and internal security missions.
Observers note that beyond its military implications, AVM Aneke’s confirmation underscores constitutional oversight and democratic accountability in defence leadership. It also signals continuity in NAF’s modernisation agenda — particularly in airpower projection, force restructuring, and deepening civil-military cooperation.
A seasoned pilot and scholar, Aneke is a graduate of the U.S. Air War College, Montgomery, Alabama, and holds multiple advanced degrees in Strategic Studies, International Affairs and Diplomacy, as well as Political Economy and Development Studies. With over 4,300 flight hours across diverse aircraft types, he is regarded as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished airpower professionals.
Present at the confirmation were the Minister of Defence, Dr Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, and the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado.
As he assumes command, AVM Aneke reaffirmed his resolve to build a force defined not by size but by “speed, precision, and purpose.”
“The Nigerian Air Force under my leadership,” he said, “will be swift in action, precise in strike, and intelligent in execution, a force built not just for power, but for protection and progress.”
New Air Chief Pledges Quick, Precise Action Against Insurgents
