The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) recorded more than 6,100 flying hours and over 2,900 sorties, consuming nearly 10 million litres of aviation fuel in support of national security operations between November 2025 and September 2026.
The figures were disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, ahead of the first anniversary of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, on October 30.
Ejodame said the operations involved precision air strikes, armed reconnaissance, surveillance and close air support to weaken hostile groups, restrict their movements and improve the effectiveness of ground troops.
He explained that the missions were driven by actionable intelligence, clearly defined objectives and assessments of operational outcomes to ensure that each sortie contributed meaningfully to national security.
The statement partly read, “Between November 2025 and September 2026, the NAF recorded over 6,100 flying hours and more than 2,900 sorties, consuming close to 10 million litres of Jet A-1 fuel in support of national security operations.
“These missions encompassed precision air strikes, armed reconnaissance, surveillance, close air support and other tasks designed to degrade hostile elements, disrupt their freedom of action and enhance the effectiveness of surface forces.
“Central to this effort has been intelligence-led mission planning, with operations guided by actionable intelligence, defined objectives and assessments of mission outcomes.”
The Air Force said the operational achievements were part of Aneke’s transformation agenda, which prioritises operational effectiveness, personnel welfare, technological advancement and institutional accountability.
On personnel welfare, Ejodame said the Air Chief had adopted the principle of “Welfare for Enhanced Warfare,” emphasising the importance of adequately supported and motivated personnel in sustaining effective military operations.
He added that the Service had worked to improve personnel allowances, medical care, accommodation and other infrastructure, while restoring welfare airlift services for personnel deployed in frontline operational areas.
According to him, 57 senior officers were promoted to the ranks of Air Vice Marshal and Air Commodore. Additionally, 1,534 senior non-commissioned officers and 1,936 non-commissioned officers advanced to higher ranks.
Ejodame disclosed that more than 550 personnel participated in international training and professional engagements, while over 6,000 underwent local training to improve their technical expertise, specialised skills and leadership capabilities.
On fleet modernisation, he said the NAF received five additional helicopters in September, comprising three AW-109 Trekker Type B helicopters and two H125 helicopters.
He added that the Service was pursuing the acquisition of 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters, alongside other aircraft and unmanned aerial systems, to strengthen its combat, airlift, training, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
The NAF also disclosed that six L-39ZA aircraft were undergoing reactivation and upgrades in Slovakia and Nigeria, while periodic depot maintenance on a C-130 aircraft was ongoing in Portugal.
Regarding infrastructure development, Ejodame said 284 projects had been approved, with 145 completed and 139 still underway.
The projects cover residential accommodation, educational and medical facilities, administrative and operational buildings, roads, electricity, water supply and recreational facilities.
He further highlighted measures to improve aviation safety and accountability, including the establishment of an Operational and Safety Audit Committee and improvements to the Service’s Safety Management System.
According to him, the NAF is also developing mechanisms to prevent and respond to civilian harm through standardised training and enhanced assessment and investigation capabilities.
Plans are also underway to establish an Open-Source Intelligence Centre to strengthen situational awareness and operational planning through publicly available information and emerging technologies.
On local production, the Service said it had pursued indigenous manufacturing initiatives involving Aircraft Release Device 863 impulse release cartridges, a 250-kilogramme bomb-loading trolley and locally produced 57-millimetre rockets, which had undergone development and ground testing.
Ejodame added that community-focused healthcare, educational initiatives and other special projects had continued to improve civil-military relations and strengthen public confidence.
He said the NAF remained committed to converting investments in personnel, aircraft, training, technology and infrastructure into improved operational results.
“Through stronger joint operations, strategic partnerships, improved maintenance, professional development and responsible employment of airpower, the Service continues to pursue greater readiness and effectiveness in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges,” the statement added.
Credit: NAF
