CDS orders extension of aerial intelligence to troubled North-west, North-central theatres

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Olufemi Oluyede, has directed the Defence Space Administration (DSA) to extend its “space-based” intelligence and surveillance support to ongoing military operations in the North-west and North-central theatres.

The spokesperson for the DSA, Funmilayo Bamisaye, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, noting that the directive, given on Friday during the DSA’s 12th anniversary in Abuja, was aimed at enhancing operational effectiveness and troops’ situational awareness.

Mr Oluyede said the aerial support is already aiding troops of Operation Hadin Kai, a joint task force in the North-east. Its extension is expected to bolster joint forces of Operation Fansan Yamma in the North-west and Operation Savannah Shield in the North-central.

“As we speak now, they are supporting Operation Hadin Kai, and I have given instructions that they should extend that to Operation Fansan Yamma in the North-West and Operation Savannah Shield in the North-Central,” Mr Oluyede, a Nigerian Army general, was quoted as saying.

The defence chief commended the military agency for its “contributions to military operations through space-based intelligence, surveillance and communications capabilities.”

Mr Oluyede also urged the DSA to prioritise indigenous research, technological innovation and human capital development. He also called for stronger collaboration with academic institutions, industries and relevant national agencies to develop resilient space capabilities.

According to the defence chief, systems must be developed, field-tested and refined to meet operational requirements while remaining compatible with existing military structures and equipment.

Mr Oluyede lauded the DSA’s strides, including the launch of DELSAT-1, Nigeria’s military satellite launched in 2022, the Special Intelligence Infrastructure, an enabling framework for DELSAT-1, and the Modular Earth Observation Outpost station at the headquarters of Operation Hadin Kai.

He said these initiatives had strengthened Nigeria’s defence space architecture and brought specialised intelligence support closer to operational commanders.

Mr Oluyede also welcomed the commencement of academic activities at the Defence Space School in Delta State, describing indigenous expertise and technological development as essential to strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to harness space for national security and development.

The DSA boss, Philip Ilodibia, corroborated the defence chief, saying modern warfare increasingly depends on timely intelligence, situational awareness, secure communications and effective coordination across multiple operational domains.

Mr Ilodibia, a major general, noted that DSA has progressively developed capabilities to support the operational requirements of the Armed Forces and other security agencies since its establishment in 2014.

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He said the DSA’s success should be measured by the operational challenges it resolved, the decisions it enabled and the strategic advantages it delivered.

The DSA boss called for stronger synergy among the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force, stressing that space-enabled intelligence, surveillance, communications and geospatial capabilities could improve joint situational awareness, interoperability and operational effectiveness.

He also advocated sustained collaboration between the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat) to strengthen indigenous space capabilities.

Gabriel Olonisakin, a former CDS under late President Muhammadu Buhari, welcomed Nigeria’s plan to strengthen space-based intelligence. However, he noted that it requires sustained investment.

Mr Olonisakin, a retired general, referenced the Russia-Ukraine war, highlighting the growing role of space technology in modern conflicts, particularly cyberattacks on satellite communications infrastructure and the use of satellite imagery to monitor troop movements.

He urged the DSA to leverage strategic partnerships to develop sovereign space capabilities and strengthen national security.