The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has expanded its operational capacity in the country’s restive Middle Belt region, deploying additional aircraft and equipment to support Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) — a joint security effort aimed at ending violence and instability.
In a statement released in Abuja, NAF spokesman Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame said the initiative was part of intensified efforts to reassure communities affected by rising insecurity and to complement the work of ground troops.
The operation covers states like Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba, where tensions between herders and farmers, as well as banditry and communal disputes, have led to repeated outbreaks of violence.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, led an assessment tour to the Tactical Air Command in Makurdi to evaluate progress. The visit coincided with a strategic security meeting involving senior figures from the army, navy, and other operational stakeholders.
“The newly deployed air assets are enhancing our capabilities, especially in intelligence gathering and the delivery of accurate air strikes,” Abubakar noted. “This enables swift responses to threats and better protection for civilians.”
He highlighted recent gains from coordinated missions, including the neutralisation of criminal enclaves and the disruption of militia operations, marking a shift in momentum towards peace.
“These missions have delivered results,” he said. “We remain committed to using every resource at our disposal to safeguard law-abiding Nigerians.”
Military leaders emphasised that sustained collaboration among Nigeria’s armed services and intelligence agencies is crucial to achieving long-term security. The joint chiefs reaffirmed their resolve to foster a secure environment in which people can resume normal life without fear.
Ejodame added that the latest phase of aerial reinforcement demonstrates the federal government’s intent to resolve the region’s crisis through both force and strategic coordination.
