Ndume urges FG to intensify fight against terrorism, NAF chief, Aneke, harps on synergy

• Police rescue 7 of abducted students writing NECO exams in Borno

From Molly Kilete, Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja and Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri

Former  Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has called on the Federal Government (FG) to adopt a more proactive approach in tackling insurgency and banditry following the fresh abduction of students sitting for the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations in Lassa Day Secondary School, Lassa, Askira/Uba Local Government, Borno State.

Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, made the call in a statement while reacting to the latest attack, which came barely one month after the abduction of 42 students and pupils in the same local government.

Meanwhile, a joint security team comprising the army, police, Civilian Joint Task Force and vigilante have rescued at least seven of the dozens of  abducted students.

A gang of terrorists suspected to be Boko Haram invaded the school yesterday morning, firing to scare people.

The terrorists subsequently abducted yet-to-be ascertained number of students and food vendors near the school premises.

The abduction occurred about two months after a similar incident at Mussa, a remote town in the same local government.

Borno Commissioner of Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, confirmed a joint security effort to track down the terrorists and rescue the abducted persons. He said seven of the candidates have already been freed.

“For now, seven of them have been rescued. We cannot confirm their gender yet. Assessment is still ongoing,” he disclosed.

This followed an earlier confirmation by the spokesman of the state Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Nahum Daso.

He said the attack on Lassa Day Secondary School occurred at about 9am on Monday. He assured that rescue efforts have been initiated by a combined team of security forces.

The latest incident has heightened concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Askira/Uba, where suspected Boko Haram terrorists last month attacked Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School and abducted 42 students and pupils. The fate of those victims remains unknown.

Reacting to the development, Ndume said the Federal Government, working with the Borno State Government, must do more to demonstrate its commitment to addressing the country’s security challenges.

“This fresh abduction is disconcerting, coming at a time when we do not know the fate of the children of Mussa who were kidnapped last month.

“I want to appeal to the security forces to redouble their efforts and ensure the safe return of the 42 students of Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School, those kidnapped in Ngoshe, those abducted along the Buratai-Biu Road, and those abducted today.”

The senator stressed that the only way to reassure Nigerians that the government remains in control is by taking the battle directly to terrorist enclaves.

While commending security agencies for their swift response, which reportedly led to the rescue of some victims, Ndume called for greater collaboration among the various security agencies to prevent further attacks and strengthen the country’s counter-insurgency operations.

Meanwhile, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has charged future military leaders to embrace strategic leadership, jointness and innovation as essential drivers of operational effectiveness, noting that synergy among the Armed Forces remains indispensable to achieving mission success in contemporary warfare.

Aneke, made this known in a lecture he delivered titled “Military Strategic Leadership: My Perspective” to participants of Air War Course 12/2026 at the Air Force War College Nigeria (AFWCN), Makurdi. The participants comprised senior officers of the Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Army and Nigerian Navy, alongside allied officers from Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana and the Kingdom of Morocco.

The CAS emphasised that today’s complex security environment demands leaders with the foresight, adaptability and collaborative mindset required to deliver decisive military effects.

Air Marshal Aneke observed that effective military leadership goes beyond command authority to inspiring people, shaping institutions and translating national strategic objectives into operational success. Quoting one of the central messages of his lecture, he stressed that “Synergy is not optional; it is a strategic necessity,” noting that integrated planning and coordinated execution enable commanders to achieve effects beyond the capability of any single Service. He explained that the deliberate integration of airpower with surface forces enhances operational effectiveness and remains central to addressing contemporary security challenges.

The CAS further highlighted that his Command Philosophy is focused on building a highly motivated, professional and mission-ready force capable of delivering effective airpower in synergy with surface forces for the realisation of national security objectives. He explained that this vision is being advanced through mission-focused training, personnel development, innovation, strategic partnerships and a proactive approach to sustaining operational readiness. According to him, “Strategic leadership depends on policy foresight rather than reactive decision-making,” underscoring the importance of preparing leaders for future security challenges.

Emphasising the human dimension of military capability, Air Marshal Aneke reminded the participants that the strength of any Air Force ultimately lies in its people. He urged the future commanders to cultivate strategic thinking, ethical leadership, emotional intelligence and a lifelong commitment to professional development, stressing that investment in personnel remains fundamental to operational excellence. He further encouraged them to foster trust across Services and with partner nations, describing it as the foundation for successful joint operations and enduring military effectiveness.

The lecture concluded with an engaging interactive session during which participants exchanged ideas with the Chief of the Air Staff on strategic leadership, joint operations and future warfare. The discussions reinforced shared perspectives on strengthening interoperability, enhancing joint force integration and preparing military leaders to address emerging security challenges. The engagement further reflected the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to developing strategic leaders capable of delivering effective airpower in concert with sister Services and international partners in support of national security objectives.