The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has reaffirmed that true victory in any conflict extends beyond military success to winning the trust and confidence of the people.
Speaking during a civil-military cooperation engagement in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State, Abubakar emphasized that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) under his leadership will continue to combine soft power with kinetic operations in tackling threats to national security. He also reiterated NAF’s commitment to dialogue, transparency, and community partnership, particularly in the South-East region.
The event was organized by the NAF through the Air Component of Joint Task Force South-East, Operation Udo Ka, in collaboration with the Enugu State Government, land component forces, paramilitary agencies, and local security groups.
According to a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the engagement marked a significant milestone in NAF’s civil-military cooperation efforts aimed at strengthening peace and public trust in the region.
Ejodame said the event featured direct interaction with stakeholders, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, and community members. He noted that the deployment of aerial assets — two military helicopters and a civil helicopter from the International Helicopter Flying School — was part of efforts to demonstrate transparency and reassure the public of NAF’s peaceful objectives.
Air Marshal Abubakar described the outreach as a reflection of NAF’s growing use of non-kinetic strategies in conflict-prone areas, stating, “Building trust is as vital as any military operation. We are set out to protect, not to intimidate.”
The engagement, which held in Ogbete and Agamede communities, also addressed public concerns about recent helicopter flights. Ejodame said these clarifications helped ease tensions and showcased the Air Force’s readiness to engage openly with local communities.
Prominent stakeholders present at the forum included the Anglican Bishop of Eha-Amufu Diocese, Right Reverend Daniel Nkemjika Olinya; Senior Special Adviser to the Enugu State Government on Security, Honourable Vincent Onyeabor; and Chairman of Isi-Uzo LGA, Barrister Obiora Obeagu — all of whom commended the initiative and called for sustained collaboration for regional peace and stability.
Ejodame added that the initiative aligns with the CAS’s command philosophy of “purposeful training and mission-oriented force development for enhanced national security,” and forms part of broader efforts to integrate local voices into security planning.
