In the realm of wireless network security, the role of intrusion detection cannot be overstated in identifying and thwarting malicious activities within communication channels. Despite the existence of various intrusion detection system (IDS) approaches, challenges persist in terms of accurate classification and specification. Consequently, this article introduces a novel and innovative approach, the African Vulture-based Modular Neural System (AVbMNS), to address these issues. This research aims to detect and categorize malicious events in wireless networks effectively. The methodology begins with preprocessing the dataset and extracting relevant features. These extracted features are then subjected to a novel training technique to enhance the detection and classification of network attacks. The integration of African Vulture optimization significantly enhances the detection rate, leading to more precise attack identification. The research's effectiveness is demonstrated through validation using the NSL-KDD dataset, with impressive results. The performance analysis reveals that the developed model achieves a remarkable 99.87% detection rate and 99.92% accuracy when applied to the NSL-KDD dataset. Furthermore, the outcomes of this novel model are compared with existing approaches to gauge the extent of improvement. The comparative assessment affirms that the developed model outperforms its counterparts, underscoring its effectiveness in addressing the challenges of intrusion detection in wireless networks.