Air Chief Hasan Bala Abubakar Urges Collective Security Action at Jos Conference
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, has emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among Nigeria’s security agencies, stressing that national security is a shared responsibility that requires unity of effort.
Speaking at the Air Provost Conference 2025, held on September 8 in Jos, Abubakar noted that the presence of sister security agencies underscored “the undeniable truth that national security is a collective responsibility.” He warned that terrorism, banditry, and cybercrime “do not respect jurisdictional boundaries” and must therefore be tackled through joint intelligence sharing, coordinated operations, and capacity building.
The CAS reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF) commitment to internal security, highlighting the central role of the Air Provost, whom he described as the “custodians of discipline” and “guardians of installations.”
To strengthen capability, Abubakar unveiled new initiatives, including the establishment of a state-of-the-art forensic and digital crime laboratory at the Air Police Training Centre in Jos, the acquisition of Military Working Dogs (MWDs), and the recruitment of 100 Air Police personnel annually for the next five years. Other projects include upgrading guard rooms, creating new Provost squadrons, and improving student accommodation at the Air Police Training Centre in Kerang. He also pledged intensified training in cyber warfare and digital forensics to secure the NAF’s critical digital infrastructure.
The CAS expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support and commended the Directorate of Air Provost for reviving the Conference after a seven-year hiatus. He assured that NAF personnel would remain law-abiding, upholding justice and respect for civil authority.
In his welcome address, the Chief of Administration, AVM Idi Sani, underscored the pivotal role of the Air Provost in discipline, regulation, and infrastructure protection. He said the Conference theme — “Leveraging Technology, Collaboration, Capacity Building and Training for Enhanced AP Duties in a Dynamic Security Environment” — aligned with the CAS’s philosophy of deliberate training and mission-oriented development.
Plateau State Governor, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, represented by Secretary to the State Government Architect Samuel Jatau, commended the NAF and other security agencies for their contributions to sustaining peace in the state.
The Air Provost Marshal, AVM JA Usman, lauded the CAS for his guidance, noting that the Conference had renewed the Directorate’s resolve to harness technology and collaboration. The three-day event features paper presentations by AVM KG Lar (rtd), Professor Etannibi Alemika, AIG Emeka Nwonyi Polycarp, and Professor Kursim Leonard, linking theory with practical security experiences.
