By Julius Peter
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, has reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to deepening operational collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s response to terrorism, banditry, insurgency and other emerging security threats.
The IGP stated this on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, when he received the Chief of the Air Staff, Nigerian Air Force, Air Marshal S.K. Aneke, DFS, who led a high-level delegation on a courtesy visit to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
The visit provided an opportunity for the leadership of both security institutions to review existing areas of cooperation and explore new strategies for improving joint operations, intelligence sharing, aerial support and coordinated responses to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
Air Marshal Aneke commended the longstanding professional relationship between the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Air Force, noting that effective collaboration between sister security agencies remained critical to confronting complex security threats across the country.
He particularly acknowledged the contributions and support of the NPF Air Wing to the Nigerian Air Force, describing the relationship between both institutions as an important component of Nigeria’s broader security architecture.
The Chief of the Air Staff stressed the need for sustained cooperation between the Police and Air Force, particularly in the areas of joint operations, intelligence sharing and enhanced air support for police engagements.
He noted that closer operational coordination would enable both institutions to maximise their respective capabilities and respond more effectively to security situations requiring multi-agency intervention.
Among the key areas discussed during the meeting were aerial surveillance and reconnaissance, tactical deployment, medical evacuation, joint training and improved operational coordination.
The two security chiefs also examined ways of enhancing collaboration in the fight against terrorism, banditry, insurgency and other forms of violent crime threatening peace and security in various parts of the country.
Aerial surveillance and reconnaissance were identified as particularly important in providing security forces with timely and accurate information to support intelligence-led operations, while improved tactical deployment would enhance the ability of security personnel to respond rapidly to emerging threats.
The meeting also considered the importance of medical evacuation capabilities in security operations, especially in difficult terrains and high-risk environments where the prompt evacuation of injured personnel can be critical to saving lives.
Responding, IGP Disu reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to further strengthening its strategic partnership with the Nigerian Air Force through joint training, capacity building, intelligence-led operations and sustained operational support.
The IGP emphasised that the increasingly complex nature of contemporary security threats required stronger inter-agency cooperation rather than isolated operations by individual security organisations.
He stressed the importance of effective command-and-control structures, personnel welfare and coordinated security planning, particularly in preparation for major national events and the 2027 general elections.
According to him, improved coordination among security agencies would be essential to ensuring adequate deployment, rapid response and effective management of security situations before, during and after major national activities.
IGP Disu further highlighted the need for enhanced protection of critical national infrastructure, improved logistics and stronger response capabilities across the security sector.
He called for regular reviews of joint operational engagements between the Police and Air Force to identify gaps, assess outcomes and develop practical measures for improving effectiveness.
The IGP noted that continuous evaluation of joint operations would help ensure that resources were deployed efficiently and that lessons learned from previous engagements were incorporated into future security planning.
The visit by the Chief of the Air Staff and his delegation is expected to further consolidate the institutional relationship between the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Air Force, particularly as security agencies intensify preparations to address emerging threats and safeguard the country’s democratic processes.
The NAF delegation included the Chief of Training, Air Vice Marshal A.Y. Dari; Chief of Operations, Air Vice Marshal P.N. Amadi; Chief of Air Intelligence, Air Vice Marshal N.N. Ananaba; Air Provost Marshal, Air Vice Marshal J.I. Ukeh; Chief of Administration, Air Vice Marshal A.A. Martins; Director of Operations, Air Vice Marshal A.O. Bamidele; Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore E.A. Ejodame; Principal Air Staff Officer to the CAS, Air Commodore H.I. Eze; and Principal Staff Officer Coordination to the CAS, Group Captain F.O. Olanrewaju.
The high-level engagement underscores the growing importance of integrated security operations in Nigeria, where threats increasingly cut across geographical boundaries and require the deployment of complementary capabilities by multiple security agencies.
The Nigeria Police Force said it remains committed to strengthening strategic partnerships with sister security agencies, enhancing inter-agency coordination and building a more integrated security response capable of effectively protecting lives and property, safeguarding critical national infrastructure and defending national assets across the country.
The collaboration between the NPF and NAF is therefore expected to remain an important component of efforts to build a more coordinated, intelligence-driven and responsive national security framework.
