CAS Charges Senior Military Officers On Strategic Leadership In Air Operations

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has charged senior military officers participating in the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) Higher Military Strategy and Management Course 10/2026 to embrace strategic leadership, jointness, and innovative thinking in addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

The charge was delivered on behalf of the CAS by the Chief of Air Intelligence, Air Vice Marshal NN Ananaba, during a lecture presented to participants of the course at the Army War College Nigeria, Abuja.

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Delivering a lecture titled “Military Strategic Leadership in Support of Air Operations: My Perspective,” the CAS highlighted the critical role of strategic leadership in enhancing the effectiveness of air operations within joint military campaigns.

He noted that the increasingly dynamic nature of modern warfare requires military leaders to remain proactive, adaptable, and collaborative in the application of military power, while emphasizing the importance of inter-service synergy, operational planning, and strategic foresight in achieving national security objectives.

Senior Military Officers

The CAS further encouraged participants to continually develop their professional capacities and uphold the highest standards of military leadership in service to the nation. The AWCN Higher Military Strategy and Management Course 10/2026, which commenced on 2 February 2026 and runs for nine months, comprises 100 senior officers in the ranks of Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, and their equivalents from the Nigerian Armed Forces and allied nations.

The lecture formed part of the College’s strategic engagement programme aimed at exposing participants to critical national security and military leadership issues through interactions with senior military leaders and experts. Eereporter.com

Nigerian Navy Foils Attempt To Revive Illegal Crude Oil Refining Network In Rivers

The Nigerian Navy says it has foiled renewed attempts by crude oil theft syndicates to re-establish a major illegal refining network in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The Director, Naval Information, Capt Abiodun Folorunsho, stated this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

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About 260,000 litres of products suspected to be crude oil and 405,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were discovered across the site.

Mr Folorunsho said that the feat was achieved by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, under Operation Delta Sentinel, during sustained anti-crude oil theft patrols within the area.

He also said that the navy was reinforcing ongoing efforts to deny economic saboteurs, the ability to regenerate criminal infrastructure across the Niger Delta.

He said, “Acting on actionable intelligence, naval personnel advanced to identified locations around Egbema where criminal elements had reportedly resumed activities at illegal refining sites previously dismantled during earlier operations.

“Subsequent exploitation of the area confirmed the reactivation of three illegal refining sites supported by an extensive network of 13 dugout pits.

“Personnel discovered about 260,000 litres of products suspected to be crude oil and about 405,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) across the site.

“This indicates a significant attempt to restore production capacity within the area.

“Preliminary findings revealed that the operators continued to exploit crude oil sourced from an abandoned wellhead in the area, demonstrating the persistence of criminal networks in adapting dormant infrastructure for illicit activities.”

He stated that the operation, beyond the volume of products recovered, underscored the Nigerian Navy’s growing focus on preventing the regeneration of illegal refining ecosystems.

He further said that intelligence indicated that in spite of previous enforcement actions, criminals had repeatedly attempted to reoccupy the same locations.

Nigerian Navy

“This underscores the strategic importance of sustained monitoring and rapid interdiction operations.

“The illegal refining sites, dugout pits, and associated products were subsequently handled in accordance with established anti-crude oil theft procedures, effectively disrupting the renewed illegal refining attempt.

“The Nigerian navy remains committed to sustaining intelligence-led operations under Operation Delta Sentinel aimed at dismantling criminal networks, protecting critical national assets, and safeguarding the economic interests of the nation,” he added.
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CAS Reaffirms NAF’S Commitment To Civilian Harm Mitigation During Engagement With NHRC

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, accountability, and civilian protection in the conduct of air operations, as the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, directed a briefing for the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on ongoing civilian harm mitigation measures and operational review mechanisms within the Service.

The briefing, held in Abuja, was delivered by the Chief of Civil-Military Relations (CCMR), Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, who led a NAF delegation to the headquarters of the NHRC as part of efforts to deepen institutional collaboration, strengthen transparency, and reinforce public confidence in NAF operations.

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During the engagement, the CCMR explained that the review process ordered by the CAS covered operational activities in parts of Zamfara and Borno States and involved consultations with operational personnel and community stakeholders aimed at improving procedures and enhancing civilian protection measures.

He noted that Air Marshal Aneke remains committed to ensuring that NAF operations are conducted with precision, professionalism, and in line with global best practices in civilian harm mitigation and international humanitarian law.

He further highlighted the CAS’s emphasis on “Smart Airpower,” also described as “Purposeful Lethality,” which focuses on the application of precise, intelligence-driven combat power while maintaining utmost regard for civilian safety.

Responding, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr Tony Ojukwu, commended the NAF for its proactive engagement, transparency, and commitment to strengthening accountability mechanisms.

NAF

He acknowledged the national desire to see terrorism decisively defeated while encouraging sustained adherence to human rights and humanitarian principles in military operations. Dr Ojukwu also praised the NAF’s prompt operational assessment procedures, engagement with communities, and commitment to continuous improvement.

The meeting, attended by senior officers from the NAF Civil-Military Relations Branch and officials of the NHRC, further underscored the growing partnership between both institutions in promoting civilian protection, accountability, and national security.
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