(CAS) AIR VICE MARSHAL SUNDAY KELVIN ANEKE SAYS MEDIA REMAINS BEST PARTNERS TO CARRY OUT SENSITIVE INFORMATION TO CURB INSURGENCY IN NIGERIA
Nigerian Air Force lauds journalists, assures Nigerians of imminent end to insurgency
Matthew Emeka Reporting Live from Abuja
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has described the media as its most dependable partners in the delicate task of managing sensitive security information and countering insurgency across the country, stressing that responsible and balanced reportage remains critical to national stability and victory over terrorism.
This position was reiterated at a light but strategically significant social engagement organised by the Nigerian Air Force to appreciate journalists for their years of professional support and balanced coverage of Air Force activities. The event, which had the ambience of an end-of-year gathering, brought together defence correspondents and Air Force reporters drawn from print, radio, television and online media organisations across Nigeria.
Held at the Nigerian Air Force Conference Centre, Abuja, the gathering attracted key stakeholders in defence journalism, including the President of the Defence Reporters Association of Nigeria (DRAN), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Chairman, and other special correspondents invited by the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force.
Welcoming guests to the event, the current Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, who was appointed in April 2025, commended journalists for what he described as “years of professionalism, restraint and patriotism” in the coverage of Air Force operations, particularly at a time when misinformation and sensational reporting could easily undermine national security efforts.
| Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Nigerian Air Force |
Air Commodore Ejodame noted that the media’s understanding of what constitutes sensitive operational information had greatly helped the Nigerian Air Force to plan and execute missions without unnecessary exposure. According to him, such cooperation has contributed immensely to the successes recorded by the Air Force in various theatres of operation.
The highlight of the event was the address by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, who used the occasion to reassure Nigerians that the country is steadily emerging from the shadows of insurgency and terrorism.
The Air Chief disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given the Armed Forces of Nigeria a clear and firm mandate to flush out terrorists and criminal elements from all parts of the country within the shortest possible time. He said this presidential directive has further strengthened the resolve of the military to intensify operations against insurgents, kidnappers and armed bandits.
According to him, “Nigeria is coming out of insurgency very soon. The President has given us a clear mandate, and the Nigerian Air Force, working with sister services, is fully committed to restoring peace and stability across the nation.”
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| Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke |
Air Vice Marshal Aneke called on the media to continue supporting the government and the military with factual, responsible and security-conscious reportage that would aid ongoing operations rather than undermine them. He stressed that while the media has a duty to inform the public, that responsibility must be balanced with national interest, especially in times of conflict.
“We will keep insurgents running; they will have no time to plan attacks,” the Air Chief declared, drawing applause from journalists and other guests at the event.
He further thanked media practitioners for their timely and wide-ranging coverage of Air Force activities on print, online, radio and television platforms, describing the relationship between the military and the media as one built on trust, mutual respect and shared patriotism.
The CAS expressed optimism that with sustained military pressure and continued media cooperation, normalcy would soon return to states previously ravaged by terrorism and insurgency. He added that a more secure Nigeria would open the door for increased local and foreign investments, improved business confidence and enhanced social services delivery.
“Nigerians and investors will soon begin to enjoy a peaceful environment for business and social life,” he said, adding that Nigeria remains “the nation the world is waiting for,” and as such, the President would leave no stone unturned in fixing the country’s security challenges.
He also appealed to citizens to be patient and to give the military a little more time to completely clean up the nation from terrorism, kidnapping and armed robbery, assuring them that the Armed Forces are fully committed to the task.
Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, who is the 23rd Chief of the Air Staff of the Nigerian Air Force, was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and assumed office on October 30, 2025. A highly decorated pilot with over 4,300 flying hours, he brings to the position a wealth of operational, academic and international experience, including participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions and counter-insurgency operations in different parts of Nigeria.
Born on February 20, 1972, in Makurdi, Benue State, and hailing from Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, the Air Chief is an alumnus of the Nigerian Defence Academy, 40th Regular Course. He holds multiple academic qualifications in Physics, International Affairs, Political Economy and Strategic Studies, underscoring his reputation as both an operational expert and a strategic thinker.
Since assuming office, Air Vice Marshal Aneke has consistently articulated a vision centred on operational excellence, technology-driven airpower, enhanced training, personnel welfare and strong defence diplomacy through international partnerships. He has pledged to build a versatile, disciplined and intelligent Nigerian Air Force capable of effectively responding to contemporary security threats.
The social event, which featured light speeches, goodwill messages and musical performances, provided an informal platform for interaction between Air Force leadership and the media. Beyond the social atmosphere, the gathering reinforced the strategic importance of media–military collaboration in winning the war against insurgency and safeguarding Nigeria’s unity and stability.
As the evening drew to a close, there was a shared sense among attendees that the partnership between the Nigerian Air Force and the media remains a crucial pillar in the ongoing fight against terrorism and a key driver of public confidence in the nation’s march towards lasting peace and security.

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