Former Air Chief Amao: Precision Strikes Degrade Enemy Capabilities, Save Lives

Linus Aleke in Abuja

Former Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao (Rtd.), has said the Nigerian Air Force’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms played a decisive role in providing actionable intelligence, enabling precision air strikes that degraded enemy capabilities and saved Nigerian lives.

Amao made the remarks at the 2025 Base Social Activities (BASA) of the Nigerian Air Force in Abuja, where he commended the personnel behind air operations, including pilots, intelligence officers, engineers, air defence teams, medical personnel, logisticians, communicators, as well as administrative and finance staff. 

He described their collective dedication as central to the success of NAF missions.

He explained that BASA, like the West African Social Activities (WASA) inherited from the colonial-era West African Frontier Force, was designed to foster unity among personnel drawn from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

According to him, the event goes beyond celebration, serving as an important feature of the Air Force’s operational culture by recognising the human element behind every sortie, intelligence report and mission.

Amao noted the dances, music and cuisine on display reflected the rich cultural diversity of the Nigerian Air Force and reinforced a shared sense of purpose. 

He said the enthusiasm with which personnel celebrated one another’s cultures demonstrated genuine esprit de corps, which, in his view, cannot be imposed by regulation but is built through shared experiences.

Reflecting on the challenges of 2025, the former Air Chief paid tribute to fallen colleagues and personnel deployed away from their families, acknowledging the sacrifices made in service to the nation. 

He also praised the resilience of military families, describing their support as invaluable to national security.

Looking ahead to 2026, Amao urged personnel to sustain the unity strengthened through BASA, stressing that Nigeria’s security challenges demand cohesion, commitment and seamless operational coordination to save lives.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced plans to implement a structured and transparent system for the retrieval of service weapons from officers upon retirement, as part of efforts to strengthen accountability, enhance operational discipline and improve national security. 

The service said the framework would ensure that all firearms issued during active duty are properly documented and recovered at the end of an officer’s service, in line with extant military regulations, while preventing the unauthorised circulation of weapons.

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, disclosed this at the 2026 Chief of the Air Staff Parley with Veterans held at the NAF Base, Bill Clinton Drive, Airport Road, Abuja. 

He acknowledged the personal security concerns of retired senior officers, assuring that the Air Force remains sensitive to their welfare. 

According to him, while the provisions of the Firearms Act would be respected, steps were being taken to properly account for and retrieve service weapons where necessary. 

He added that modalities were also being explored for a regulated armoury system that would allow eligible retirees to lawfully possess approved calibres in accordance with existing regulations.

Represented by the Chief of Administration, Air Vice-Marshal Anthony Adekunle Martins, the CAS described veterans administration as capital-intensive but said the NAF appreciated the insights shared during the engagement, including lessons from international best practices such as the Australian model. 

He revealed that plans were underway to establish Veteran Well-Being Centres to provide specialised healthcare, administrative support, help-desk services and social integration platforms.

He also noted the Air Force was leveraging technology through a digital platform to simplify processes such as next-of-kin changes, medical referrals and welfare documentation.

Earlier, a Public Health Specialist at the 063 Nigerian Air Force Hospital, Abuja, Ugochukwutuberem Nnamdi, emphasised the importance of health and wellness in post-service life, urging veterans to remain active and seek medical advice for heart-related conditions.