The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, on Wednesday strongly denounced what he described as revelations of a plot by certain individuals to violently overthrow Nigeria’s democratic government, warning that those involved would face strict legal consequences.
Aneke made the remarks in Abuja during a meeting with Branch Chiefs, Air Force Commanding Officers and Unit Commanders, held to mark his first 100 days in office.
“In this context, I unequivocally condemn recent revelations that plans were made by certain individuals to subvert democracy and violently take over the government. Such actions are shameful, shocking and wholly reprehensible. Any perpetrator will face the full wrath of the law,” he said.
The Air Chief reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s allegiance to the Constitution and the country’s democratically elected leadership, stressing the need for discipline and unity within the force.
“The Nigerian Air Force remains loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government of the day. Accordingly, commanders are reminded of their responsibility to maintain unity and cohesion within the ranks, while checking all forms of indiscipline and unlawful activity,” he added.
Addressing broader security concerns, Aneke linked Nigeria’s challenges to increasing instability in the Sahel region. He noted that military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger had weakened regional security collaboration, creating opportunities for jihadist groups to expand.
He warned that the violence spreading across the Sahel posed a growing threat to coastal West African countries, including Benin Republic and Nigeria.
Aneke said, “Within our immediate neighbourhood, the Sahel remains highly unstable due to the expansion of jihadist groups linked to Islamic State and Al-Qaeda. Military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria have disrupted security cooperation and created gaps exploited by armed groups. Consequently, violence has intensified and now threatens to spill into coastal West African states like the Republic and Nigeria.”
He also referred to Nigeria’s recent designation by the United States as a country of particular concern, stating that it had drawn international focus to the country’s security situation and highlighted the need for urgent action.
“Nigeria’s recent designation by the United States as a country of particular concern has attracted global interest in Nigeria’s security challenges and heightened urgency of decisive action, ” he said.
On the domestic front, Aneke acknowledged that the security landscape had seen slight improvements but noted that significant threats remain. These include insurgency in the North-East, banditry and kidnapping in the North-West and North-Central, as well as persistent farmer-herder clashes.
He expressed particular concern over the reported expansion of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) into Kwara State.
“The security situation has recorded modest improvement. Nevertheless, insurgency in the Northeast, widespread banditry and kidnapping for ransom in the Northwest and North Central region, as well as farmer-headers’ conflicts, persist.
“Of particular concern is the recent expansion of the Islamic State’s West African province activities into Kwara, an alarming trend that must be decisively reversed,” he stated.
The CAS disclosed that security conditions in the Niger Delta had improved in recent months following joint operations that significantly reduced pipeline vandalism and boosted crude oil production to approximately 2.2 million barrels per day. However, he noted that illegal activities targeting oil infrastructure remain a concern.
In the South-East, he said coordinated military operations had considerably weakened separatist elements and largely dismantled the five-year sit-at-home directive, allowing gradual restoration of normal economic and social activities.
With the next general elections about a year away and political campaigns expected to commence soon, Aneke urged Air Force personnel to remain professional and politically neutral.
“Our role remains to support civil authorities and safeguard democratic processes without partisanship,” he said.
He explained that the two-day strategic meeting would evaluate achievements recorded within his first 100 days in office and include briefings on key initiatives such as the UAV development roadmap and strengthening air power in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency missions.
Aneke called for candid and solution-oriented discussions that would lead to measurable progress across the service, reaffirming the Air Force’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
His strong remarks follow confirmation by the military leadership weeks earlier that a small group of serving officers had attempted to remove the president. Initial official responses had downplayed the reports, describing them as unfounded and speculative.
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