NAF Enhances Military Presence in North-Central with Additional Troop and Aircraft Deployment

In a strategic move to strengthen security in Nigeria’s North-Central region, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reinforced its aerial operations by deploying more aircraft under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS). This operation is a collaborative military campaign aimed at curbing insecurity across Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States.

The development was disclosed following a high-level security summit held on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at the Tactical Air Command headquarters in Makurdi, the Benue State capital. Details of the meeting were shared via the official X (formerly Twitter) page of the Nigerian Air Force.

Among the senior officers in attendance were Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Olufemi Oluyede, Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira representing the Chief of Naval Staff, and several other top military figures.

Following a ground assessment of ongoing military operations, Air Marshal Abubakar revealed that the newly introduced aircraft were already yielding significant results on the battlefield. He explained that the aircraft have expanded the military’s operational capabilities, offering real-time surveillance, tactical air support, and precision-targeted strikes, which have successfully neutralized militia hideouts and criminal encampments.

He reiterated that this reinforcement is aligned with the Federal Government’s agenda to restore peace and security to the Middle Belt region and ensure the safety of law-abiding citizens.

“As long as peace is under threat, our commitment will not waver,” Air Marshal Abubakar affirmed.

During the joint press engagement, all participating Service Chiefs emphasized the critical need for inter-agency cooperation in addressing the current wave of insecurity. They collectively acknowledged that improved synergy among the Armed Forces has been instrumental in achieving recent military gains in the affected states.

The military leadership further reassured the local population that the intensified efforts were part of a broader strategic mission aimed at allowing communities to “live and work in safety and without fear.”

This renewed military offensive comes amid prolonged violence in Benue State, where incidents involving banditry, armed militias, and communal unrest have left over 200 people dead, triggering calls for lasting peace and protection.