NAF Strengthens National Security With 111 New Special Forces Operators

Sunday June 21, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng

The Nigerian Air Force says it has graduated 111 personnel from Special Forces Course 13/2026 as part of efforts to strengthen its operational capacity and enhance national security.

The graduation ceremony was held at the Regiment Training Centre Annex, Bauchi.

According to a statement posted on the NAF Facebook page on Sunday, the exercise marked “another significant milestone in its commitment to building a highly skilled, combat-ready and mission-oriented force capable of responding effectively to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.”

The programme, described as intensive, was designed to equip the personnel with specialist knowledge, tactical skills and resilience required for complex Special Forces operations in support of air and joint military missions.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, was represented at the event by the Chief of Training, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Dari.

In his message to the graduating operators, Aneke congratulated them for completing the training and charged them to uphold professionalism and discipline.

“The true strength of any fighting force lies in the quality, determination and character of its personnel,” he said, urging them to remain mission-focused and serve the nation with honour.

The Commandant of RTCA Bauchi, Squadron Leader EL Akpan, reaffirmed the centre’s commitment to producing competent and mission-ready Special Forces operators.

The ceremony featured tactical demonstrations, including obstacle crossing drills, commando self-defence techniques and air assault operations.

The event was attended by the Air Officer Commanding Ground Training Command, Air Vice Marshal AG Kehinde; the Air Officer Commanding Special Operations Command, Air Vice Marshal A Idris (represented by Commander 251 Base Services Group, Air Commodore Y Bashir); and the Director of Regiment, Air Commodore Olayera, alongside senior military officers, representatives of sister services and other security agencies.

The NAF said the graduation underscores its “sustained investment in human capacity development and operational excellence,” aimed at strengthening its ability to deliver air power in support of national security objectives.

*PUNCH