Air chief: Insurgents won’t have time to plan attacks — we’ll keep them running

Kelvin Aneke, the new chief of air staff, has vowed to build a disciplined and highly responsive Nigerian Air Force (NAF) capable of keeping insurgents “running without time to think or plan”.

Aneke, who was confirmed by the senate on Wednesday alongside other service chiefs, said his leadership will prioritise precision, professionalism, and strategic innovation.

Others confirmed are Olufemi Oluyede as chief of defence staff, Wahidi Shaibu as chief of army staff, and Idi Abbas as chief of naval staff.

“We will keep insurgents running — they will have no time to plan attacks,” Aneke said.

“I use the word ‘lethal’ in a professional sense because a man running from you will not have the time to plan to hurt you.”

He said his vision for the force is anchored on training, technology, safety, and innovation, noting that “true military power is not measured by brute force but by superior intellect and adaptability”.

Aneke also assured that under his command, the air force would be “swift in action, precise in strike, and intelligent in execution — a force built not merely for power, but for purpose, protection, and progress”.

With his confirmation, Aneke officially succeeds Hassan Bala Abubakar and becomes a member of the Armed Forces Council.

During the session, lawmakers commended Aneke’s leadership record, citing his achievements as air officer commanding, mobility command, where he strengthened joint operations and improved the NAF’s strategic airlift capability.

Osita Ngwu, senator representing Enugu west, specifically thanked President Bola Tinubu for appointing Aneke, who is from Enugu state.

“I bring gratitude from Udi local government where both of us come from. Appointment of service chiefs in the past governments from south-east, sometimes will look impossible. But today, we are having it back to back,” Ngwu said.

“The immediate past chief of naval staff is from Enugu state. We have never in the history of Nigeria had it this way.

“We, from where he comes from, have only gratitude to show to the president. We know our son is going to make us proud. We know he will deliver.”

Other lawmakers also praised Aneke’s role in advancing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations, which they described as crucial to Nigeria’s counter-insurgency efforts.

Aneke, a graduate of the United States Air War College, Montgomery, Alabama, holds advanced degrees in strategic studies, international affairs and diplomacy, and political economy and development studies.

With over 4,300 flight hours across multiple aircraft types, he is regarded as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished pilots.

Meanwhile, the presidency has expressed satisfaction with the senate’s swift screening and confirmation of the military chiefs.

Basheer Lado, special adviser to the president on senate matters, in a statement on Wednesday, said the senate’s cooperation underscored the “strong collaboration between the executive and the legislature in advancing the national interest and ensuring the security and stability of our dear nation”.