The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced plans to introduce a structured and transparent framework for the retrieval of service weapons from officers upon retirement, as part of efforts to strengthen accountability, operational discipline and national security.
The Air Force said the initiative is designed to ensure that all firearms issued during active service are properly documented and recovered at the end of an officer’s career, in line with existing military regulations.
According to the NAF, the policy will help curb the unauthorised circulation of weapons while reinforcing institutional standards across the Service.
The plan was disclosed at the 2026 Chief of the Air Staff Parley with Veterans held at the NAF Base along Bill Clinton Drive, Airport Road, Abuja.
Speaking at the event, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, acknowledged the personal security concerns of retired senior officers and assured that the Air Force remains sensitive to their welfare.
He explained that while the provisions of the Firearms Act would be fully respected, mechanisms were being developed to ensure proper accountability and retrieval of service weapons where applicable.
The CAS also revealed that the NAF is exploring the establishment of a regulated armoury system that would allow eligible retired personnel to lawfully possess approved calibres, subject to extant regulations.
Represented by the Chief of Administration, Air Vice-Marshal Anthony Adekunle Martins, Aneke described veteran administration as capital-intensive but stressed that the Air Force values the input of retired personnel, including insights drawn from international best practices such as the Australian model.
He further disclosed plans to establish dedicated Veteran Well-Being Centres to provide specialised healthcare, administrative support, help-desk services and social integration platforms tailored to the needs of retired officers.
In addition, the CAS said the NAF is deploying technology to improve service delivery to veterans, with a digital platform under development to streamline processes such as next-of-kin updates, medical referrals and welfare documentation, thereby reducing delays and stress associated with manual procedures.
Earlier, a Public Health Specialist at the 063 Nigerian Air Force Hospital, Abuja, Ugochukwutuberem Nnamdi, in a presentation titled “Taking Care of You: Importance of Health and Wellness in Post-Service for Veterans of the Nigerian Air Force,” emphasised that post-service health outcomes are influenced by social, economic and biological factors.
He advised veterans to maintain physical activity through daily routines and urged those with heart-related conditions to seek professional medical care and adhere strictly to medical guidance.
By Linus Aleke
Follow us on:
