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 highlight the scale of air operations undertaken by the Service to combat security threats, disrupt hostile activities and support ground forces across the country ahead of the first anniversary of Sunday Aneke as Chief of the Air Staff on October 30.
Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, disclosed the figures in a statement issued on Sunday, outlining the Service’s operational performance, equipment acquisition, personnel development and institutional reforms under Aneke’s leadership.
According to the statement, the operations included precision air strikes, armed reconnaissance, surveillance and close air support, aimed at degrading hostile elements, restricting their freedom of action and improving the effectiveness of surface forces.
NAF said the Service had placed intelligence-led mission planning at the centre of its operations, with missions 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.
“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”, the statement said.
NAF said the operational approach was intended to ensure that every sortie served a clear purpose and contributed meaningfully to national security, with airpower employed in coordination with other security agencies.
On personnel welfare, the Force said the Chief of the Air Staff had adopted the principle of “Welfare for Enhanced Warfare”, reflecting the Service’s position that adequately supported and motivated personnel were essential to sustained operational effectiveness.
It said the NAF had pursued improvements in personnel allowances, medical support, accommodation and other infrastructure, alongside the reactivation of welfare airlift services for personnel deployed in frontline operational theatres.
The welfare measures are intended to address the needs of personnel serving in demanding operational environments while supporting morale, readiness and the Service’s ability to sustain prolonged security operations.
The Air Force also recorded promotions across its officer and non-commissioned officer cadres during the period under review.
NAF disclosed that 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.
It added that more than 550 personnel participated in international training programmes and professional engagements, while over 6,000 others received local training to strengthen their technical skills, specialised competencies and leadership capacity.
On fleet modernisation, the NAF said it received five additional helicopters in September, comprising three AW-109 Trekker Type B helicopters and two H125 helicopters.
The acquisitions form part of efforts to strengthen the Service’s aviation capabilities and improve its capacity to respond to operational requirements across different theatres.
The statement said that the NAF was also pursuing the acquisition of 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters, alongside other aircraft and unmanned aerial systems, to improve its combat, airlift, training, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
The planned acquisitions would support the Service’s efforts to improve operational flexibility and expand the range of missions it can undertake in support of national security.
However, the statement did not provide a delivery timeline for the 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters or specify the cost and procurement status of the other platforms being pursued.
The Service is working to return existing aircraft to operational service through reactivation, upgrades and maintenance programmes.
According to NAF, 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.
The NAF also reported progress in infrastructure development, with 284 projects approved, of which 145 had been completed and 139 remained ongoing.
It said the projects covered residential accommodation, academic and medical facilities, administrative and operational infrastructure, roads, electricity, water supply and recreational facilities.
The Air Force also highlighted efforts to improve aviation safety and institutional accountability through the establishment of an Operational and Safety Audit Committee and improvements to its Safety Management System.
NAF said that it was developing structures to mitigate and respond to civilian harm, including standardised training and enhanced assessment and investigation capabilities.
The Service is also planning to establish an Open-Source Intelligence Centre to improve situational awareness and operational planning through the use of publicly available information and emerging technologies.
The proposed centre is expected to strengthen intelligence gathering and analysis by expanding the use of information sources that can support the planning and assessment of security operations.
The NAF said it had pursued 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 said it had continued community-focused healthcare, educational and other special projects to strengthen civil-military relations and public confidence.
The Service identified stronger joint operations, strategic partnerships, improved maintenance and professional development as key elements of its approach to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
“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 said.