NAF RECORDS 2,900 SORTIES, CONSUMES 10 MILLION LITRES OF FUEL IN SECURITY OPERATIONS
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has recorded more than 6,100 flying hours and 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 contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, 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 aimed at degrading hostile elements and improving the effectiveness of ground forces.
He explained that the missions were guided by actionable intelligence, clearly defined objectives and assessments of operational outcomes.
“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,” the statement said.
The Air Force spokesman added that the operational focus was to ensure every sortie served a clear purpose and contributed meaningfully to national security.
He said the reported gains formed 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”, recognising that adequately supported and motivated personnel were essential to sustained operational performance.
He said the Service had pursued improvements in allowances, medical support, accommodation and other infrastructure, while reactivating welfare airlift services for personnel deployed in frontline operational theatres.
Ejodame disclosed that 57 senior officers had been promoted to the ranks of Air Vice Marshal and Air Commodore, while 1,534 senior non-commissioned officers and 1,936 non-commissioned officers had also advanced to higher ranks.
He added that more than 550 personnel participated in international training and professional engagements, while over 6,000 received local training to improve their technical skills, specialised competencies and leadership capacity.
On fleet modernisation, the spokesman said the NAF received five additional helicopters in September, comprising three AW-109 Trekker Type B helicopters and two H125 helicopters.
He said the Service was also 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.
According to him, 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.
On infrastructure development, Ejodame said the Air Force had approved 284 projects, with 145 completed and 139 ongoing.
He said the projects covered residential accommodation, academic and medical facilities, administrative and operational infrastructure, roads, electricity, water supply and recreational facilities.
The Service also strengthened its aviation safety and accountability framework through the establishment of an Operational and Safety Audit Committee and improvements to its Safety Management System.
Ejodame said the NAF was developing mechanisms to prevent and respond to civilian harm, including standardised training and enhanced assessment and investigation capabilities.
He further disclosed that plans were underway to establish an Open-Source Intelligence Centre to improve situational awareness and operational planning through available information and emerging technologies.
On local production, the NAF said it had pursued 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.
The spokesman added that community-focused healthcare, educational and other special projects had continued to strengthen civil-military relations and public confidence.
He said the Service remained committed to translating investments in personnel, aircraft, training, technology and infrastructure into improved operational outcomes.
“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.
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