NAF Activates 309 Composite Group to Enhance Niger Delta Operations
The Nigerian Air Force has activated the 309 Composite Group in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, as part of efforts to strengthen security operations and enhance rapid response capabilities across the Niger Delta.
The development was highlighted during an operational visit by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, to the state, where he emphasised the strategic importance of the new unit in tackling emerging security threats and safeguarding critical national assets.
Speaking during the visit, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, commended the NAF for its expanded operational posture, describing the activation of the 309 Composite Group as a significant boost to peace, stability, and economic growth in the region.
He noted that the presence of the unit would deter criminal activities, strengthen the protection of vital infrastructure, and improve investor confidence across the state and the wider Niger Delta.
“The operationalisation of this unit is a major boost to peace, stability, and economic activities within Akwa Ibom State and the wider Niger Delta region,” the governor said.
In his remarks, the CAS described the 309 Composite Group as a critical forward operating base that would enhance intelligence, surveillance, and rapid response missions in support of national security objectives.
He reaffirmed the Air Force’s commitment to deploying air power effectively to neutralise threats and ensure the safety of lives and property.
Aneke also commended the Akwa Ibom State Government for its support in facilitating the establishment of the unit, noting that collaboration between the military and civil authorities remains key to achieving lasting security.
During the visit, the CAS engaged with traditional rulers and key stakeholders, calling for stronger civil-military cooperation to improve intelligence sharing and build trust within local communities.
Earlier, the Air Officer Commanding Mobility Command, Air Vice Marshal MN Onyebashi, assured that personnel of the new unit are fully prepared to carry out assigned missions with professionalism and operational efficiency.
The activation of the 309 Composite Group underscores the NAF’s ongoing efforts to reinforce its operational footprint and sustain pressure against security threats in the Niger Delta.
By TimesNG