The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has called for a whole-of-society approach to achieving lasting peace in the South-East.
Speaking at the South-East Regional Security Summit 2026 held on Thursday in Umuahia, Abia State, the CAS said governments, security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders and citizens must work together to address the root causes of insecurity and consolidate recent security gains.
The summit, themed “Collaborative Approaches to Strengthening Security and Regional Stability,” was convened by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, while former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika (Rtd), CFR, delivered the keynote address.
Air Marshal Aneke described the gathering as a demonstration of collective resolve to restore lasting peace, stability and economic prosperity to the South-East. He commended the South-East Governors’ Forum and other stakeholders for supporting the initiative, noting that despite recent security challenges, the region remains Nigeria’s historic industrial and commercial hub.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to sustaining peace and security across the region, assuring participants that the NAF, alongside sister services and other security agencies, remains determined to prevent criminal elements from undermining the South-East’s peace and prosperity.
Highlighting ongoing operations, the CAS disclosed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria have intensified joint operations across the region, with the NAF providing Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), precision air interdictions and close air support to ground forces.
According to him, the coordinated operations have significantly degraded the mobility and operational capacity of criminal elements while creating a safer environment for residents and economic activities.
Air Marshal Aneke, however, stressed that military action alone cannot guarantee enduring peace.
“Bombs and bullets do not address the root causes of insecurity,” he said, urging governments, traditional rulers, community leaders, youth organisations and socio-cultural groups to deepen community engagement, mentor young people and create opportunities that discourage violence.
He also encouraged residents to embrace the “If you see something, say something” principle by providing timely and actionable intelligence to security agencies.
The CAS further reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to civil-military cooperation through medical outreaches and other community support initiatives, expressing confidence that the summit’s resolutions would strengthen regional stability and preserve the South-East as a centre of commerce, innovation and enterprise.
