The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, on Wednesday declared that any personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria found guilty of attempting to overthrow Nigeria’s democratic government would face the full wrath of the law.
Aneke revealed this while addressing Air Officers Commanding and Unit Commanders at a strategic meeting at the NAF Headquarters in Abuja, marking his first 100 days in office.
He described recent revelations of the foiled coup plot against the administration of President Bola Tinubu as “shameful, shocking and wholly reprehensible.”
Aneke said the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) remained firmly loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government, adding that “I unequivocally condemn recent revelations that plans were made by certain individuals to subvert democracy and violently take over the government. Such actions are shameful, shocking and wholly reprehensible. Any perpetrators will face the full wrath of the law,” he said.
The CAS warned the commanders to maintain unity, cohesion and discipline within the ranks, particularly as the country approaches another election cycle, saying “our role remains to support civil authorities and safeguard democratic processes without partisanship.”
NAN reports that more than 40 military personnel and civilians were arrested in connection with the alleged October coup plot last year, while families of some of the suspects have called for leniency and fair trial.
The CAS said he had undertaken operational visits across commands and units to assess processes and interact with personnel since resuming office 100 days ago.
He said the global security environment was becoming increasingly complex, with renewed great power competition, shifting alliances and evolving security dynamics in the Sahel carrying serious implications for Nigeria.
Aneke expressed concern over instability in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, warning that the expansion of jihadist groups linked to Islamic State and al-Qaeda posed threats to coastal West African states, including Nigeria.
He also cited the reported expansion of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) activities into Kwara as an alarming development that must be decisively reversed.
On the domestic front, Aneke acknowledged modest improvements in security, including reduced pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta and improved stability in the South-East, where joint operations have curtailed separatist violence and weakened the sit-at-home order.
