By Bavoriat Dabo
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, has emphasized the need for sustained collaboration among Nigeria’s security agencies, stressing that national security is a shared responsibility requiring unity of effort.
Delivering his keynote address at the Air Provost Conference 2025, held on 8 September in Jos, the CAS told heads and representatives of sister security agencies that their presence underscored “the undeniable truth that national security is a collective responsibility.” He observed that emerging threats such as terrorism, banditry, and cybercrime “do not respect jurisdictional boundaries” and therefore demand a unified, multi-agency approach.
In a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the CAS reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to inter-agency collaboration through joint intelligence sharing, crime detection, coordinated operations, and capacity building. “We must continue to dismantle institutional barriers and operate as one unified force for the security of our nation,” he stated.
Air Marshal Abubakar highlighted the central role of the Air Provost as “custodians of discipline” and “guardians of installations,” noting their importance to both internal order and broader operational effectiveness.
He also unveiled new initiatives aimed at strengthening Air Provost capabilities. These include the establishment of a state-of-the-art forensic and digital crime laboratory at the Air Police Training Centre in Jos, acquisition of new Military Working Dogs (MWDs) for K9 units, and the recruitment of 100 Air Police personnel annually over the next five years.Other measures include improvements to guard room facilities, construction of new Provost squadrons, and completion of student accommodation at the Air Police Training Centre in Kerang.
Looking ahead, he disclosed that training in cyber warfare and digital forensics will be intensified to safeguard the NAF’s critical digital infrastructure.
The CAS urged participants to maximize the opportunities provided by the conference to learn, collaborate, and shape policies that will enhance operations across all NAF formations.
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