DEFENCE
NAF Inducts Helicopter Reactivated Locally in Port Harcourt
By Gom Mirian Abuja
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has inducted into service another EC-135 Helicopter, NAF 549, which was reactivated in-country by NAF personnel in collaboration with some technical partners from within and outside Nigeria.
The induction of NAF 549 on Saturday, 24th August 2019, at the NAF 115 Special Operations Group (115 SOG) in Port Harcourt signifies the substantial progress the Service has made in its bid to continually build capacity to cope with technological advancements in the field of military aviation and further prosecute the various ongoing operations in the Country.
It could be recalled that the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, was in Port Harcourt in 2018 to unveil an Mi-35P helicopter, NAF 531, after an in-country Life Extension Programme, which was successfully conducted in Nigeria for the first time since the helicopter was inducted into the NAF in Year 2000.
In his remarks during the ceremony, the CAS noted that the addition of the newly re-activated EC-135 helicopter would be a force multiplier in the effort of the Service to secure the lives and property of Nigerians as well as protect the territorial integrity of the Country.
He added that the successful in-country reactivation of the helicopter has enabled the NAF to save scarce foreign exchange that would have been expended in carrying out the Periodic Depot Maintenance (PDM) abroad.
In addition, Air Marshal Abubakar explained that the in-country reactivation has enabled the transfer of required skills and expertise to NAF technicians, thereby helping the Service build additional capacity to sustain its operations.
According to him, “this is in line with the Service’s projected end state, which is to ensure that in the near future, the NAF would have sufficiently domiciled the technical expertise and technological know-how to conduct the full spectrum of maintenance activities locally using its own engineers, technicians and resources”.
Speaking further, the CAS added that in order to ensure adequate manning and capacity building for crew of its various helicopter fleets, the Service was conducting various initial and advanced training for NAF helicopter pilots both locally and overseas.
He stated that the Service recently approved the training of 10 helicopter pilots by Cobham Helicopter in the United Kingdom.
“We have also commenced the tactical training of NAF helicopter pilots at the 405 Helicopter Combat Training Group (405 HCTG) Enugu in order to build their capacity to function more effectively in complex air and ground environments.
All these efforts are being made to enable the NAF build its core competencies towards the employment of air power in the discharge of our constitutional responsibilities”, he added.
Air Marshal Abubakar restated his commitment to enhancing the welfare of personnel through the provision of conducive work and home environments for personnel and their families to enable them continue to put in their best in support of the various Internal Security operations across the Country.
This, he said, would include the provision of additional married accommodation for Officers and Senior Non Commissioned Officers (SNCOs) in Port Harcourt as well as the eventual upgrade of Air Force Secondary School Port Harcourt to a boarding school.
The CAS also used the opportunity to express the profound gratitude of the Service to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, for the priority given to NAF’s efforts in maintaining its platforms and equipment as well as the support given to acquire new platforms such as the A-29 Super Tucano, JF-17 fighter aircraft, Mi-35M, Augusta A-109 Power and AW-139 helicopters.
Earlier, while delivering his welcome address, the Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command (AOC TAC), Air Vice Marshal Charles Owho, represented by the Chief of Staff, Air Commodore Shehu Bakari, expressed his delight for the enabling environment the current leadership of the NAF has granted the Command to display its ingenuity towards the achievement of the landmark feat.
He added that the reactivation would no doubt contribute to the actualization of one of the key drivers of the CAS’ Vision, which is, “robust logistics support and maintenance culture to sustain platforms and equipment serviceability”.
The reactivation programme of NAF 549, which had been unserviceable since June 2013 before its handover to the NAF in 2016, commenced on 10 January 18, with critical assessment of the helicopter, and the entire work was completed in June 2019.
The helicopter is one of the three EC -135 helicopters inherited by the NAF from the NNPC.
The other 2 EC 135 Helicopters, NAF 547 and NAF 548, have been reactivated in-Country and have since been deployed for operations.
Highlight of the event was the conduct of a Functional Check Flight (FCF) by pilots of the 115 SOG, under the guidance of the Commander, Air Commodore Elijah Ebiowe, to certify the aircraft ready for flight operations.
After which the technical documents for the aircraft were handed over to the CAS by the Chief of Aircraft Engineering CAcE, AVM Musa Mukhtar, who subsequently handed these over to the AOC TAC for safekeeping.
Also present at the induction ceremony were the Commander Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral A Akinrinade, as well as other serving and retired military officers and heads of other security agencies in Rivers State.
Before leaving Port Harcourt, the CAS, who was accompanied on the operational visit by other senior officers from Headquarters NAF, also had an interactive session with officers, airmen and airwomen of NAF units in Port Harcourt and other locations in the South South Geo-Political Zone.
The session was aimed at keeping the personnel informed about the policy directions of the Service while also receiving feedback as well as suggestions from them on how to move the Service forward for effective and efficient service delivery
By David Torough, Abuja
The Nigerian Army on Thursday marked a seamless change of leadership as Maj. Gen. Waidi Shaibu officially assumed office as the 25th Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
The handing and taking over ceremony was held at the Army Headquarters, Abuja, between the outgoing COAS, now Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, and his successor.
In his maiden address, Maj.
Gen. Shaibu commended Lieutenant General Oluyede for his exemplary leadership, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to the progress of the Nigerian Army. He praised his predecessor’s accomplishments in equipment procurement, infrastructural development, and the “Soldier First” initiative, which placed troop welfare and operational readiness at the core of Army operations.The new COAS pledged to sustain and build upon the legacies of his predecessor while enhancing collaboration among security agencies to strengthen national security. He assured that the current security landscape would be critically assessed, with prompt responses to emerging threats.
“I salute the courage, passion, resilience, and discipline of our troops in the field. Their sacrifices remain the cornerstone of our collective success,” he stated.
Shaibu expressed deep appreciation to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for entrusting him with the leadership of the Nigerian Army. He also led senior officers in observing a minute’s silence in honour of fallen heroes.
In his valedictory remarks, the outgoing COAS and new CDS, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, appreciated President Bola Tinubu for his visionary leadership and the opportunity to serve. He lauded officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication and urged them to remain loyal and committed under the new leadership.
“The mission remains the same — to ensure the security of lives and defend the territorial integrity of our nation,” he said.
Earlier, the former Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Maj. Gen. Abdulsalami Ibrahim, described General Oluyede as a selfless and visionary leader whose impact would be remembered by generations of officers.
The event featured the signing of handover documents, decoration of the new Army Chief with Headquarters insignia, inspection of the quarter guard, and group photographs with senior officers and field commanders.
By David Torough, Abuja
The Armed Forces of Nigeria have sustained an aggressive nationwide campaign against terrorists, bandits, and other criminal groups, recording major operational successes across all theatres within the week ending October 16, 2025.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, who disclosed this during the weekly press briefing in Abuja, said the operations reflected the continued dedication, professionalism, and discipline of Nigerian troops on land, in the air, and at sea.
According to him, coordinated operations under various Joint Task Forces—Operation HADIN KAI in the North East, Operation FANSAN YAMMA in the North West, Operations ENDURING PEACE and WHIRL STROKE in the North Central, Operation DELTA SAFE in the South-South, and Operation UDO KA in the South-East—resulted in the neutralisation of several terrorists, arrest of criminal elements, and rescue of kidnapped victims.
In the North East, troops denied Boko Haram, ISWAP, and JAS fighters freedom of movement through aggressive ground and air operations in parts of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States. Scores of terrorists were eliminated, 16 collaborators arrested, and seven hostages rescued. Troops also recovered assorted weapons, vehicles, and ₦5.14 million in cash.
Similarly, in the North West, troops sustained their offensive against bandits in Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Kaduna, and Niger States. Several terrorists were killed, 14 arrested, and six kidnapped victims rescued. A gunrunner and two drug cartel members were also apprehended with 1,307 live ammunition, motorcycles, narcotics, and ₦227,000.
In the North Central region, under Operations ENDURING PEACE and WHIRL STROKE, troops carried out raids and responded to distress calls in Plateau, Kaduna, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, and Kogi States, neutralising criminals and rescuing 17 kidnap victims. Four suspects were also convicted and sentenced by a magistrate court in Plateau State.
In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE troops foiled oil theft valued at over ₦98.7 million, destroying 11 illegal refining sites and arresting 13 suspects. The troops also seized large volumes of stolen petroleum products and dismantled multiple illegal refining facilities across Delta and Rivers States.
Meanwhile, in the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA arrested a notorious IPOB/ESN commander known as Gentle alongside eight accomplices in Imo and Ebonyi States. A female logistics supplier linked to the group was also apprehended in Abia State, where three children of a wanted terrorist leader were found in her custody.
Major General Kangye commended the gallant troops for their bravery and sacrifices, assuring Nigerians that the Armed Forces remain steadfast and resolute in securing the nation.
“Our recent operational successes—whether in counterterrorism, anti-banditry, maritime security, or internal operations—are not just battlefield victories but clear demonstrations of our resolve to secure every inch of Nigeria,” he stated.
He urged citizens to continue supporting the military through credible intelligence sharing, noting that collective cooperation remains vital to achieving lasting peace and stability across the country.
By David Torough, Abuja
Barely one weekend after President Bola Tinubu’s directives to immediately fish out the perpetrators of the Yelewata massacre in Benue state, the Inspector-general of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has confirmed the arrest of 26 suspects for their alleged involvement in the recent massacre at Yelewata community of Guma local government area in Benue State.
Egbetokun said in the attack, 47 villagers were killed, two attackers were killed by the police and over 100 others were displaced.
He disclosed this during a press briefing at the Force Headquarters yesterday in Abuja.
Egbetokun said the majority of the suspects were arrested on June 22.
Relatedly, the IGP also revealed that 22 suspects have been arrested for killing 12 travellers in Plateau State, while five persons have been arrested for killing two people in Benue State this week.
The arrests were coming barely a week after President Bola Tinubu directed the immediate arrest of the killer-herders who perpetrated the heinous killing of over 100 people in Yelewata community in Benue State.
Tinubu gave the directive while addressing stakeholders at the Government House, Markudi, during a visit to the State.
The meeting included the Secretary to the Federal Government, George Akume, Traditional Rulers and former governors of the state among others.
Tinubu had called out the Inspector General of Police to know why arrests had not been made at the time.
“How come no one has been arrested for committing this heinous crime in Yelewata. Inspector General of Police, where are the arrests? The criminals must be arrested immediately,” President Tinubu directed.
He urged the heads of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to intensify surveillance and gather actionable intelligence to apprehend the perpetrators.
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