NAF burns 10m litres fuel in 2,900 security missions

The Nigerian Air Force 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.

He said the operations involved precision air strikes, armed reconnaissance, surveillance and close air support aimed at degrading hostile elements and strengthening the effectiveness of ground forces.

Ejodame added that the missions were guided by actionable intelligence, 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.

“Central to this effort has been intelligence-led mission planning, with operations guided by actionable intelligence, defined objectives and assessments of mission outcomes,” the statement said.

He added that the focus was to ensure that every sortie served a clear operational purpose and contributed meaningfully to national security.

Ejodame said the operational gains formed part of Aneke’s transformation agenda, which focused on operational effectiveness, personnel welfare, technological advancement and institutional accountability.

On personnel welfare, he 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 effectiveness.

He said the Service had pursued improvements in personnel 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 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 also advanced to higher ranks.

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He added that 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.

On fleet modernisation, he said the service 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 and other aircraft and unmanned aerial systems to improve its combat, airlift, training, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

Ejodame further disclosed that six L-39ZA aircraft were undergoing reactivation and upgrades in Slovakia and Nigeria, while the periodic depot maintenance of a C-130 aircraft was ongoing in Portugal.

On infrastructure, he said the service 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.

Ejodame also highlighted efforts to strengthen aviation safety and accountability through the establishment of an Operational and Safety Audit Committee and improvements to its Safety Management System.

According to him, the NAF is also developing structures to mitigate and respond to civilian harm, including standardised training and enhanced assessment and investigation capabilities.

He said plans were underway to establish an Open-Source Intelligence Centre to improve situational awareness and operational planning through the use of available information and emerging technologies.

On indigenous capacity, 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.

He added that community-focused healthcare, educational and other special projects had continued to strengthen civil-military relations and public confidence.

Ejodame 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 said.