Winning the War, Defending the Truth: Airpower, Terrorist Propaganda and the Complexities of Asymmetric Warfare 

Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame

In modern asymmetric warfare, the battlefield is no longer defined solely by the clash of weapons. Beyond precision strikes and troop movements lies another theatre of conflict, one fought through propaganda, misinformation, and the manipulation of public perception. 

Across conflict zones around the world, airpower has consistently proven to be one of the most decisive instruments of modern warfare, enabling the destruction of terrorist networks, logistics hubs, and command structures through precision air strikes, intelligence surveillance, and rapid aerial mobility.

 Yet military history equally affirms a fundamental reality: while airpower shapes the battlefield and weakens adversaries, enduring victory must ultimately be secured on the ground and sustained through stability, coordinated national action, and societal cooperation. 

It is within this complex environment that the role of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in Nigeria’s counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations must be properly understood. 

Within this framework, the Nigerian Air Force has emerged as a critical pillar in Nigeria’s counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations. Through sustained, intelligence-led air interdiction missions, the NAF has systematically dismantled terrorist enclaves, neutralised logistics hubs, disrupted supply routes, and degraded command structures across various theatres of operation. 

These operations, executed with professionalism and precision, have significantly constrained the operational capacity of insurgent groups while reinforcing strict adherence to rules of engagement and the protection of innocent civilians. 

The more effective these operations become, the more desperate terrorist propaganda machinery appears to grow. Having suffered devastating losses from precision air strikes, insurgent groups increasingly resort to manipulating public narratives, often rushing to allege civilian casualties following successful military operations against them. 

In many instances, such claims are deliberately amplified to erode public confidence, weaken national resolve, and create hesitation around the employment of airpower. 

Their strategy is calculated and cynical: by exploiting civilian environments and using human shields, they seek to deter decisive military action while simultaneously weaponising information against the state. 

This is the difficult reality of asymmetric warfare. Unlike conventional armies that fight from clearly defined positions, terrorists deliberately embed themselves within communities, hide among civilian populations, and exploit humanitarian sensitivities to their advantage.

 In many cases, the people being defended and the terrorists themselves are citizens from the same communities and environments. This complexity places enormous responsibility on the military. 

On one hand, when force is decisively applied against terrorists, there are often allegations of excessive action and public backlash. 

On the other hand, when operations appear restrained, there are equally criticisms that not enough is being done to confront insecurity. It is within this delicate balance that the Nigerian Air Force continues to project professionalism, leveraging advanced intelligence, surveillance capabilities, precision targeting systems, and detailed operational planning to conduct effective air operations while minimising collateral damage and preserving civilian lives. 

Understanding this challenge requires looking beyond simplistic narratives. Kinetic military operations alone, no matter how successful, cannot deliver enduring peace. Airpower can be likened to the use of insecticide, highly effective in eliminating visible threats. 

However, maintaining an insect-free environment depends on broader preventive measures such as cleanliness, vigilance, and environmental discipline. It would be misguided to blame the insecticide for the persistence of insects when the underlying conditions that breed them remain unaddressed. 

Similarly, while the Nigerian Air Force continues to dismantle terrorist elements with precision, sustainable peace requires a broader whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. 

Communities must remain vigilant against criminal elements operating within their environments. Citizens must support intelligence-gathering efforts by reporting suspicious movements and activities. 

Local institutions, traditional leaders, religious bodies, and civil society organisations all have vital roles to play in countering radicalisation and denying insurgents the social space within which they thrive.

 Development initiatives, education, economic opportunities, and coordinated national action must complement military operations in addressing the root causes that fuel insecurity. 

Beyond combat operations, the Nigerian Air Force has increasingly embraced a people-centric posture through civil-military engagements designed to strengthen trust between the military and local populations. 

These efforts reinforce an important national reality: security is not the responsibility of the military alone. Rather, it is a shared obligation requiring cooperation between institutions, security agencies, communities, and citizens alike. 

As Nigeria continues its pursuit of peace and national stability, the role of the Nigerian Air Force remains indispensable. Its airpower capabilities continue to shape the battlefield, deny terrorists freedom of action, and provide critical support for ground operations.

 Yet the broader lesson from modern asymmetric warfare remains unmistakable: while airpower may win battles, enduring victory is achieved through collective national resilience, coordinated governance, and the shared determination of society to reject fear, propaganda, and extremism.

*Air Commodore Ejodame is the  Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force.

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As Nigeria continues its pursuit of peace and national stability, the role of the Nigerian Air Force remains indispensable. Its airpower capabilities continue to shape the battlefield, deny terrorists freedom of action, and provide critical support for ground operations