Abuja, Jan. 31, 2025 – The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reaffirmed its commitment to national security, vowing to track down and eliminate terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers operating in the country’s ungoverned spaces.
Speaking at the 2025 Administration and Personnel Seminar in Abuja, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, declared the force’s readiness to neutralize those who take up arms against the state.
“Our relentless operations against criminal elements reaffirm our determination to protect innocent lives and restore peace across the nation. Let me make it clear that airpower will extend the long arm of the law, bringing justice to criminals hiding in ungoverned spaces. We will find, fix, and strike all those who take arms against the State, and we will not relent until Nigeria is safe for all,” Abubakar stated.
NAF Expands Manpower, Targets 30,000 Personnel by 2027
The Air Force chief revealed that the NAF has witnessed an 86% increase in manpower over the last 13 years, with its airmen and airwomen doubling since 2013.
Over 530 officers commissioned and 2,300 airmen recruited under Abubakar’s leadership.
Current personnel strength projected to surpass 30,000 by 2027 if recruitment continues at the current pace.
The most significant recruitment surge occurred between 2017 and 2020, with an officer-to-airman ratio now at 1:6.
Abubakar emphasized that the force’s rapid expansion requires modern, computerized human resource management and proactive administration to ensure efficiency.
Improved Welfare, But Challenges Remain
To support its growing workforce, NAF has enhanced personnel welfare through:
Improved medical facilities and accommodation
Enhanced insurance policies
Affordable housing schemes
Abubakar noted that 2,972 personnel have benefited from newly constructed or renovated accommodation in the past 18 months.
Despite these strides, he acknowledged persistent challenges, including:
Absence Without Leave (AWOL)
Drug abuse and substance misuse
Negative influence of social media
“This seminar offers a valuable opportunity to evaluate our current practices and explore innovative approaches to tackle these challenges,” he added.
With its enhanced manpower, strategic airpower, and commitment to personnel welfare, the NAF is positioning itself as a formidable force in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against insecurity.
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