The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has warned that any member of Nigeria’s Armed Forces found culpable of attempting to overthrow the country’s democratically elected government will face the full force of the law.
Air Marshal Aneke delivered the warning on Wednesday while addressing Air Officers Commanding and Unit Commanders at a strategic meeting at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Headquarters in Abuja, held to mark his first 100 days in office.
He described recent revelations of an alleged coup plot against the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as “shameful, shocking and wholly reprehensible,” stressing that the Nigerian Air Force remains unwaveringly loyal to the Constitution and Nigeria’s democratic order.
“I unequivocally condemn recent revelations that plans were made by certain individuals to subvert democracy and violently take over the government,” Aneke said. “Such actions are shameful, shocking and wholly reprehensible. Any perpetrators will face the full wrath of the law.”
The Air Chief reminded senior commanders of their duty to uphold unity, cohesion and discipline within the ranks, particularly as Nigeria approaches another election cycle.
“Our role remains to support civil authorities and safeguard democratic processes without partisanship,” he stated.
More than 40 military personnel and civilians were arrested in connection with the alleged coup plot said to have been uncovered in October last year. Families of some of the suspects have since appealed for leniency and a fair judicial process.
Reflecting on his first 100 days in office, Air Marshal Aneke said he had embarked on extensive operational visits across NAF commands and units to assess procedures and directly engage with personnel.
He warned that the global security environment is becoming increasingly complex, citing renewed great power competition, shifting alliances and evolving security dynamics in the Sahel as developments with serious implications for Nigeria.
Expressing concern over political instability in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, the CAS cautioned that the expansion of jihadist groups affiliated with Islamic State and al-Qaeda poses growing threats to coastal West African states, including Nigeria. He also described reports of the expansion of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) activities into Kwara State as “alarming” and stressed that such advances must be decisively reversed.
On the domestic front, Aneke acknowledged modest but notable security improvements, including reduced pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta and improved stability in the South-East, where joint security operations have curtailed separatist violence and weakened the enforcement of sit-at-home orders.
He noted that coordinated security operations in the Niger Delta have helped raise Nigeria’s crude oil production to about 2.2 million barrels per day, although criminal exploitation of oil infrastructure remains a persistent challenge.
As political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections intensify, the Air Chief charged commanders to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and political neutrality.
“As we deliberate here, I expect frank and solution-oriented discussions that will translate into practical decisions and measurable improvements across the Service,” he said.
Air Marshal Aneke expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his leadership and reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Air Force to deliver decisive air power in synergy with ground and maritime forces to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
“We will not disappoint Nigerians,” he added. “It is our sacred duty to safeguard the national security objectives of our country.”
Elijah Adeyemi
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