• Super Admin
• 06 Mar, 2026

‎The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force's commitment to safeguarding Nigeria's critical oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta. ‎ ‎The CAS made the pledge on March 5, 2026, during a strategic operational visit to the Nigerian Air Force Base in Port Harcourt where he commissioned key infrastructure projects and inspected operational facilities. ‎ ‎The visit formed part of his nationwide operational engagements aimed at strengthening operational readiness, improving personnel welfare and assessing frontline capabilities across Nigerian Air Force units. ‎ ‎During his visit to the 115 Special Operations Group (115 SOG), the home of the Nigerian Air Force's combat helicopters, the CAS commissioned newly constructed and renovated facilities including a modern briefing room complex and other operational buildings designed to enhance planning, command coordination and administrative efficiency. ‎ ‎He also inspected key operational infrastructure such as the runway and apron VIP areas, aircraft hangars and the Nigerian Air Force Hospital. ‎ ‎Air Marshal Aneke emphasised that "modern and functional infrastructure remain essential to sustaining high operational standards and effective mission execution". ‎ ‎As part of the visit, the CAS paid a maiden courtesy call on the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, where he appreciated the state government's support to the Nigerian Air Force presence in the state. ‎ ‎The CAS particularly acknowledged the state government's contributions including the handover of an Agusta 139 helicopter to the Nigerian Air Force, rehabilitation and resurfacing of the runway and aprons at NAF Base Port Harcourt, issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy for the Base and the provision of two blocks of twelve two-bedroom residential accommodation units for NAF personnel. ‎ ‎According to him, "these interventions have significantly strengthened the Air Force's operational readiness and its capacity to respond effectively to emerging security challenges within the Niger Delta region". ‎ ‎In his response, Governor Fubara reaffirmed the Rivers State Government's commitment to sustaining its partnership with the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies in maintaining peace and stability in the state. ‎ ‎He commended the Nigerian Air Force for protecting strategic national assets and combating economic sabotage in the Niger Delta, noting that "security remains a prerequisite for economic growth and development". ‎ ‎Addressing officers, airmen and airwomen during a durbar at the Base, the CAS reiterated his command philosophy "to enhance and sustain a highly motivated, professional and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive airpower effects in synergy with surface forces for the realisation of national security objectives". ‎ ‎He added that personnel welfare remains central to operational effectiveness, stressing that the Nigerian Air Force is accelerating accommodation and infrastructure development across its bases nationwide to address housing deficits and improve living conditions. ‎ ‎Air Marshal Aneke also commended personnel of the 115 Special Operations Group for their operational achievements, revealing that the unit executed 495 missions in 2025 in support of counter-illegal bunkering operations, protection of oil infrastructure and other national security assignments. ‎ ‎He urged personnel to remain vigilant and continue to "fly smart" by ensuring operations are based on timely and actionable intelligence. Source: https://newsdiaryonline.com/cas-reaffirms-naf-commitment-to-protecting-nigerias-oil-assets/