NAF strengthens special forces through intelligence training to tackle emerging threats
By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified efforts to strengthen its operational readiness through specialised intelligence and security training aimed at improving the effectiveness of its special forces personnel in tackling emerging security threats and protecting civilians across the country.
The training, conducted by the Regiment Training Centre Annex (RTCA), Bauchi, was organised for participants of Special Forces Course 13/2026 as part of ongoing efforts to enhance operational capacity in contemporary security environments marked by insurgency, terrorism and other asymmetric threats.
Speaking during the exercise, the Commandant of RTCA Bauchi, Squadron Leader Lawrence Akpan, stressed the importance of intelligence in the success of special operations, noting that accurate intelligence remains critical to mission planning, surveillance, threat assessment, target identification and force protection.
According to him, special forces personnel must possess adequate knowledge of intelligence processes, operational security and information management to effectively carry out assigned responsibilities in complex operational theatres.
Also speaking, the Command Intelligence Officer at Headquarters Special Operations Command, Squadron Leader E. Miji, delivered lectures on key intelligence operations, including intelligence gathering techniques, surveillance and reconnaissance, counterintelligence, information analysis and operational threat assessment.
The training also featured practical exercises and simulated operational scenarios designed to sharpen the trainees’ analytical thinking, situational awareness and decision-making abilities under pressure.
NAF said the exercises provided participants with practical exposure to the application of intelligence in special operations while reinforcing professionalism, vigilance and security consciousness during mission execution.
The Air Force noted that the initiative aligns with the vision of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, to build a highly skilled, mission-ready and combat-effective force capable of neutralising emerging threats, supporting counterinsurgency operations and safeguarding national security as well as civilian lives.