The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it consumed nearly 10 million litres of aviation fuel while conducting more than 2,900 sorties in support of Nigeria’s national security operations between November 2025 and September 2026.
The service also recorded more than 6,100 flying hours during the 11-month period, according to a statement issued by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Sunday.
The disclosure came ahead of the first anniversary of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, on October 30.
According to the NAF, the missions included precision air strikes, armed reconnaissance, surveillance and close air support to ground troops. The operations were aimed at weakening hostile groups, restricting their movements and improving the effectiveness of surface forces.
Ejodame said intelligence-led mission planning remained central to the operations, with missions guided by actionable intelligence, defined objectives and assessments of outcomes.
He added that the objective was to ensure that each sortie had a clear operational purpose and contributed to national security.
NAF Expands Aircraft Maintenance and Infrastructure
The Air Force said six L-39ZA aircraft were undergoing reactivation and upgrades in Slovakia and Nigeria, while periodic depot maintenance of a C-130 aircraft was ongoing in Portugal.
On infrastructure, the service disclosed that it had approved 284 projects, with 145 completed and 139 still ongoing.
The projects cover residential accommodation, academic and medical facilities, administrative and operational infrastructure, roads, electricity, water supply and recreational facilities.
The NAF also highlighted its personnel welfare programme, guided by the principle of “Welfare for Enhanced Warfare”.
According to Ejodame, the service has pursued improvements in personnel allowances, medical support and accommodation, alongside the reactivation of welfare airlift services for personnel deployed in frontline operational theatres.
Officers Promoted, Thousands Receive Training
The Air Force said 57 senior officers were promoted to the ranks of Air Vice Marshal and Air Commodore.
It added that 1,534 senior non-commissioned officers and 1,936 non-commissioned officers also advanced to higher ranks.
More than 550 personnel participated in international training and professional engagements, while over 6,000 received local training to strengthen their technical skills, specialised competencies and leadership capacity.
NAF Receives Five Additional Helicopters
On fleet modernisation, the service disclosed that it received five additional helicopters in September, comprising three AW-109 Trekker Type B helicopters and two H125 helicopters.
The Air Force is also pursuing the acquisition of 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters, alongside other aircraft and unmanned aerial systems.
The planned acquisitions are expected to strengthen the service’s combat, airlift, training, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
The NAF also reported progress in developing indigenous aviation and weapons-support capabilities, including local production initiatives involving Aircraft Release Device 863 impulse release cartridges, a 250-kilogramme bomb-loading trolley and the development and ground testing of locally produced 57-millimetre rockets.
NAF Strengthens Aviation Safety and Accountability
Ejodame said the service had established an Operational and Safety Audit Committee and improved its Safety Management System to strengthen aviation safety and accountability.
He added that structures were being developed to mitigate and respond to civilian harm, including standardised training and improved assessment and investigation capabilities.
The Air Force is also planning to establish an Open-Source Intelligence Centre to improve situational awareness and operational planning through publicly available information and emerging technologies.
According to the statement, community-focused healthcare, educational and other special projects have continued as part of efforts to strengthen civil-military relations and public confidence.
Ejodame said the NAF remained committed to translating investments in personnel, aircraft, training, technology and infrastructure into improved operational outcomes.
The service also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening joint operations, strategic partnerships, maintenance and professional development to improve its readiness to address Nigeria’s security challenges.
