Insecurity: Sultan Urges Sustained NAF Airstrikes To Dislodge Bandits, Terrorists

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III,  has pledged the unalloyed support of the traditional institution to the ongoing efforts by the Nigeria Air Force, NAF, and other security arms to combat insecurity in the Northern region of Nigeria.

This is as he urged security agencies, particularly, the NAF to sustain its current onslaught on terrorists and other criminal elements undermining the security of the country.

The Sultan who spoke on Tuesday September 30, 2025, while receiving in audience the new Commander of the NAF 119 Composite Group, Jane Gimo, called for more concerted efforts towards effectively tackling the serious security challenges facing the country.

“No society actually exists without its own share of challenges. But more need to be done to restore lasting peace in the Northern region”, Sultan Abubakar stated.

While appreciating the significant progress made in the fight against terrorism and criminality, the Sultan appealed to the NAF to enhance its airstrikes against hideouts and positions of bandits.

He emphasized the importance and urgency in mitigating the ravaging activities of terrorist groups and other criminal elements so as to create the enabling environment for citizens and residents to carry on with their  legitimate means of livelihoods.

Sultan Abubakar also underscored the pre-eminent roles of the NAF in the over all efforts at halting the menace of terrorism and insecurity in the Northern region of the country.

He assured the readiness and commitment of the Sultanate Council and other traditional institutions in the region towards collaborating and partnering NAF and other security agencies to find a lasting solution to the problem of insurgency.

Earlier, the Commander of the NAF 119 formation Gomu, had informed that the visit was to solicit royal blessings and support of the Sultan as they brace for the task of reclaiming every part of the state and other security-challenged areas from  bandits.

He promised that NAF will continue in its coordinated operations aimed at dismantling all identified banditry, kidnapping and other criminal  strongholds .

He emphasized continuous synergy among sister security agencies and traditional rulers in the efforts to effectively safeguard the lives and properties of citizens.