Air Chief Abubakar: National Security Demands United Action Against Borderless Threats
Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, has underscored the need for sustained collaboration among Nigeria’s security agencies, warning that terrorism, banditry, and cybercrime pose “borderless threats” that require a unified response.
Speaking at the 2025 Air Provost Conference in Jos on Monday, September 8, Air Marshal Abubakar said the presence of heads and representatives of sister security agencies at the event highlighted “the undeniable truth that national security is a collective responsibility.”
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF) commitment to building stronger inter-agency cooperation through joint intelligence sharing, coordinated operations, and mutual capacity development. “We must continue to dismantle institutional barriers and operate as one unified force for the security of our nation,” he declared.
Highlighting the Air Provost’s role as “custodians of discipline” and “guardians of installations,” the CAS unveiled new initiatives to strengthen their capabilities. These include a state-of-the-art forensic and digital crime laboratory at the Air Police Training Centre in Jos, the introduction of new Military Working Dogs (MWDs) for K9 units, and the recruitment of 100 Air Police personnel annually for the next five years. Infrastructure upgrades, including new Provost squadrons, guard room facilities, and student hostels at the Kerang training centre, are also underway.
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Air Marshal Abubakar noted that future training would focus heavily on cyber warfare and digital forensics to safeguard NAF’s critical digital infrastructure. He urged conference participants to seize the opportunity to learn, collaborate, and shape policies that would strengthen operations across all NAF formations.
The CAS expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support to the Nigerian Air Force and pledged that NAF personnel would remain law-abiding, respectful of civil authority, and committed to the supremacy of democracy and the rule of law.
In his welcome remarks, Chief of Administration, Air Vice Marshal Idi Sani, said this year’s theme: “Leveraging Technology, Collaboration, Capacity Building and Training for Enhanced AP Duties in a Dynamic Security Environment”, reflects the CAS’s command philosophy of deliberate training and mission-oriented force development.
Plateau State Governor, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, represented by Secretary to the State Government, Architect Samuel Jatau, commended the Air Force and other security agencies for sustaining peace in the state.
Also speaking, the Air Provost Marshal, AVM JA Usman, lauded the CAS for his strategic guidance and support, noting that the conference had renewed the Directorate’s resolve to embrace technology, deepen collaboration, and strengthen capacity.
The three-day conference, the first in seven years, features paper presentations and interactive sessions linking theory with real-world challenges. Day One included presentations by AVM KG Lar (rtd) and Professor Etannibi Alemika, while Day Two will feature papers from AIG Emeka Nwonyi Polycarp, Commandant of the Police Staff College, Jos, and Professor Kursim Leonard.
