The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the Nigeria Police Force have agreed to strengthen joint security operations ahead of the 2027 general elections, with particular emphasis on intelligence sharing, aerial surveillance and rapid response to emerging threats.
The collaboration was discussed when the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, paid a courtesy visit to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Aneke said the NAF was prepared to make greater use of the Police Force’s extensive intelligence networks across communities and local government areas to improve the military’s response to security threats.
He explained that information gathered by police personnel at the grassroots could provide early warnings that would help the Air Force deploy its resources before threats escalate.
The Air Force chief also proposed closer cooperation between both agencies in the use of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, particularly for monitoring election hotspots and criminal activities in difficult-to-access locations.
According to him, NAF aircraft could increasingly serve as an “eye in the sky” to provide surveillance support to police personnel operating on the ground.
Beyond election security, Aneke called for stronger institutional cooperation through joint training and personnel exchange programmes.
He said police officers could receive specialised training at the Nigerian Air Force School of Air Intelligence, while NAF personnel could return to the Police College, Enugu, to acquire additional expertise in areas including forensics, crime scene management and modern investigative techniques.
Disu, in response, pledged the Police Force’s commitment to expanding collaboration with the NAF through joint training, intelligence-led operations and capacity building.
The IGP also stressed the need for improved welfare, logistics, command and control, as well as better protection of critical national infrastructure.
He called for regular reviews of joint operations to identify gaps and improve coordination, particularly as security agencies prepare for major national events and the 2027 general elections.
The renewed partnership is expected to strengthen coordination between the two agencies and improve their ability to detect, monitor and respond to security threats across the country.
