Insecurity: Air Force War College tours North-West, strengthens air power support for national security
Participants of the Air Force War College have embarked on a national study tour across Nigeria’s North-West region, aimed at strengthening their grasp of operational and strategic air power in support of civil authority and national development.
The delegation, drawn from Course 12/2026, visited the Headquarters of 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Sokoto, as well as Sector 2 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA. During the visit, participants noted that the exercise would serve as a vital bridge between operational realities on the ground and the strategic application of air power in addressing security challenges.
Speaking during the engagement, the Commandant of the Air Force War College, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Gambo Mbaka, said the study tour aligns with this year’s theme, ” _State Resources and Air Power: National Development in Northwest Nigeria in Focus.”_ He explained that the initiative is designed to examine how air power can be effectively deployed to enhance security while also supporting socio-economic growth in the region.
According to him, the tour forms an integral part of the College’s operational framework, with participants divided into three groups for wider field exposure across the zone.
“Team A is in Sokoto State, Team B went to Kebbi State while Team C is in Zamfara State. And this tour will not only help provide firsthand exposure to the security challenges in Northwest Nigeria, but also cement collaborative efforts with 8 Division Nigerian Army, Operation FANSAN YAMMA and other security agencies in countering security challenges in the region,” Mbaka stated.
He further stressed that the exercise is intended to bridge the gap between theory and real-world operations, noting that while classroom learning in operational planning remains essential, direct interaction with field institutions significantly enhances professional judgment and operational readiness.
In his earlier remarks, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division and Commander of Joint Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General Bemgba Koughna, expressed appreciation for the study tour and its relevance to ongoing security efforts.
Represented by the Chief of Staff, Headquarters 8 Division, Brigadier General Ibrahim Gambari, the GOC reaffirmed the Division’s commitment to strengthening inter-agency collaboration and promoting continuous professional development within the Armed Forces.