The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has recorded more than 6,100 flying hours and 2,900 sorties between November 2025 and September 2026 in support of Nigeria’s national security operations as Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, approaches his first anniversary in office on October 30.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.
According to the statement, the missions consumed nearly 10 million litres of Jet A-1 aviation fuel and included air strikes, armed reconnaissance, surveillance and close air support for ground forces.
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The NAF said the missions were guided by intelligence, defined objectives and assessments of operational outcomes. However, the statement did not provide a breakdown of the sorties by operation or independent assessments of their impact on security.
Personnel Welfare and Training
The Service said it had pursued improvements in personnel allowances, medical support and accommodation under its “Welfare for Enhanced Warfare” initiative. It also reported reactivating welfare airlift services for personnel deployed in frontline operational areas.
According to Ejodame, 57 senior officers were promoted to the ranks of Air Vice Marshal and Air Commodore, while 1,534 senior non-commissioned officers and 1,936 non-commissioned officers advanced to higher ranks.
The NAF also reported that more than 550 personnel participated in international training and professional engagements, while over 6,000 received local training to improve their technical skills and leadership capacity.
Aircraft Acquisition, Maintenance
On fleet modernisation, the Air Force said it received five helicopters in September 2026: three AW-109 Trekker Type B helicopters and two H125 helicopters.
The Service said it was pursuing the acquisition of 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters and other aircraft and unmanned aerial systems to expand its combat, airlift, training and surveillance capabilities. These remain planned acquisitions, rather than equipment confirmed as delivered.
The NAF also reported progress in the reactivation and upgrade of six L-39ZA aircraft in Slovakia and Nigeria, alongside ongoing periodic depot maintenance of a C-130 aircraft in Portugal.
Safety Audit Committee
The Air Force said it had established an Operational and Safety Audit Committee to support assessments of its operational, engineering and armament units. It added that it was strengthening its Safety Management System and developing measures to prevent and respond to civilian harm during military operations.
The Service also announced plans to establish an Open-Source Intelligence Centre to improve situational awareness and operational planning.
On infrastructure, the NAF said it had approved 284 projects, of which 145 had been completed and 139 remained ongoing.
The projects cover accommodation, healthcare, education, roads, electricity, water supply and other administrative and operational facilities.
The Service further reported local production initiatives involving Aircraft Release Device 863 impulse release cartridges and a 250-kilogram bomb-loading trolley. It said locally produced 57-millimetre rockets were undergoing development and ground testing.
According to the NAF, community healthcare, educational interventions and other special projects were also continuing as part of its civil-military relations activities.
As Aneke approaches his first anniversary, the Air Force says it will continue to focus on operational readiness, personnel development, aircraft maintenance, joint operations and strategic partnerships to address Nigeria’s security challenges.
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