By SUMAILA OGBAJE

Former Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), retired Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, says terrorists do not care about Nigerians’ ethnic or cultural differences, calling for sustained unity and professionalism of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in tackling them.

Amao, who said this at the 2025 NAF’s Base Social Activities on Saturday in Abuja, urged NAF personnel to consolidate on their operational excellence across multiple theatres during intense security engagements nationwide in 2025.

He said the NAF’s 2025 performance reflected discipline, cohesion and people-centred leadership, anchored on professionalism, morale and operational effectiveness nationwide.

“Terrorists threaten all Nigerians equally, and our response must remain unified, professional and resolute across every theatre of operation.

The 2025 tested the air force extensively. From the North-East to the South-South, our personnel delivered beyond expectations, demonstrating that unity of purpose translates directly into operational success,” he said.

Amao explained that aircrews flew thousands of combat, logistics and surveillance sorties, stressing, “ISR platforms provided timely intelligence, while precision strikes degraded enemy capabilities and saved countless Nigerian lives.

He said those achievements were products of collective effort, noting, behind every mission were pilots, engineers, intelligence officers, medical teams, logisticians, communicators and administrators working seamlessly as one force.

The former air chief described the event as integral to operational culture, saying, “BASA is not merely celebration; it reinforces cohesion and esprit de corps.”

He said cultural understanding strengthens military effectiveness, adding, “When personnel appreciate one another’s backgrounds, trust deepens, coordination improves and operational outcomes become more decisive in complex environments.”

Amao paid tribute to fallen personnel and those deployed away from families.

“We remember colleagues who paid the ultimate price, and those on duty today whose sacrifices give meaning to our mission.

“The resilience and support of families are also service to the nation, sustaining morale and enabling our personnel to remain focused and mission-ready,” he said.

Looking ahead, Amao urged sustained commitment in 2026, stressing that morale was not a luxury but an operational necessity, and unity remains our strongest weapon against terrorism nationwide.

He charged personnel to carry BASA’s spirit forward, noting that the bonds forged here must translate into seamless coordination, professionalism and excellence that continue to save lives.

The BASA featured colourful cultural displays from across Nigeria, showcasing traditional dances, music and local cuisines, reflecting the Air Force’s diverse yet unified national character.

Other highlights included energetic tug-of-war contests, an impressive Nigerian Air Force Band performance, and the ceremonial lighting of the camp fire, symbolising unity, renewal and shared commitment to national defence.

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, led his wife, Mrs Ngozi Aneke, and top NAF branch chief, commanders and commandants to celebrate the social event with personnel and their families. (NAN)

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