2027: NAF, Police Deepen Partnership on Intelligence, Monitor Hotspots During Polls

On the eve of the 2027 elections, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and Nigeria Police have strengthened their intelligence-sharing partnership and vowed to monitor key areas during the polls, according to an official report. Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, the Chief of the Air Staff, emphasized the potential benefits of collaboration between the two agencies, noting that the police force's extensive intelligence networks could aid the NAF in swiftly responding to national security threats.

The NAF and Police Air Wing have long operated in close coordination during challenging times, with the NAF expressing gratitude for the Air Wing's support during a particularly difficult period for the service. During a meeting with Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, Aneke proposed the establishment of an active exchange programme between their respective training institutions, proposing that police experts train with the Air Police and intelligence personnel.

Disu responded by reiterating the Nigeria Police's commitment to deepening its partnership with the NAF, highlighting joint training, capacity building, intelligence-led operations, and sustained operational support. He stressed the significance of personnel welfare, effective command and control, and coordinated security planning, especially in the context of major national events like the 2027 general election.

The NAF Chief of Air Staff proposed the use of their Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets to aid the police in tracking criminal activity in challenging terrain and monitoring hotspots during the elections. Aneke highlighted the importance of learning from each other, saying that the NAF seeks to host police officers at the Nigerian Air Force School of Air Intelligence (NAFSAINT) for courses, and that they hope to train NAF personnel at the Police College in Enugu, where they can learn about modern investigative methods.