The Dilemma of Airpower in Counter-insurgency: Politics, Tactics, and the Nigerian Air Force (2009-2022)

From 2009 to 2022 was an eventful period of major Airpower campaigns against insurgency groups across some regions of Nigeria. This threats has sprout from religious extremist group like Boko Haram, Islamic State of West African Province in the Northeast to armed banditary groups in the Northwest and ethnic nationalist agitators in the southeast of Nigeria. The application of airpower in counter-insurgency operations to restore order, protection of civilian lives and property has remained a subject of research for academics and debate amongst military strategists and policymakers because it was an internal security threat with allegations of human rights abuses. This study examines the Nigerian Air Force’s experience in leveraging airpower capabilities to counter insurgency threats, the nature of the typology of conflict, tactical and political dilemma encountered and conjunctural moments that has questioned airpower successes in insurgency battles. Through historical assessment of primary and secondary sources, the research reveals how Nigerian airpower capabilities were often undermined by legal and political constraints. The study concludes that effective counter-insurgency requires nuanced understanding of the interplay between politics, tactics airpower and recommends reforms to enhance the Nigerian Air Force capabilities in this regards.