Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: Nigerian Air Force

  • Air Force Launches Investigation into Civilian Casualties in Niger State

    Air Force Launches Investigation into Civilian Casualties in Niger State

    In an update published by ThisDay, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) activated a Civilian Harm Accident and Investigation (CHAI) team to probe reports of civilian deaths during a recent air interdiction in Niger State. The operation in Kurigi Village targeted suspected bandit leadership, but local accounts allege non-combatants were also affected.

    NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame said the service is committed to transparency and will conduct a comprehensive field assessment. The probe follows mounting pressure from communities and rights groups for improved precision in strikes near populated areas.

    The Punch corroborated the launch of the investigation, while Daily Post quoted local leaders describing the losses as devastating and calling for accountability.

    Echotitbits take: Creating a formal civilian-harm investigation mechanism is reputationally important for the NAF. But unless targeting is consistently supported by stronger ground intelligence and deconfliction processes, recurring incidents will continue to undermine legitimacy and fuel local resentment.

    Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/naf-probes-alleged-civilian-casualties-in-niger-air-raid/ 2026-01-29

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Nigerian Air Force to Receive 12 New Attack Helicopters from US Firm

    Nigerian Air Force to Receive 12 New Attack Helicopters from US Firm

    In an update published by The Punch, the Federal Government and a US-based defense company reportedly finalized plans to deliver 12 advanced attack helicopters to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) as part of efforts to strengthen airpower against insurgency and banditry.

    The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, reportedly said the first batch is expected by mid-2026. The helicopters are described as having modern night-vision and precision-strike capabilities suited for rugged terrain.

    The deal is said to include training for pilots and technicians and a maintenance center in Nigeria, which would support modernization and reduce reliance on foreign contractors for routine servicing.

    Channels TV and Vanguard also reported the development, including commentary about negotiations and planned basing in the North-West.

    Echotitbits take: Precision air support can shift the balance if integrated with ground intelligence and rapid response. The key will be coordination, maintenance discipline, and clear rules of engagement.

    Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/insurgency-fg-us-company-plan-delivery-of-12-attack-helicopters/ 2026-01-09

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Nigerian Air Force to Leverage US Intelligence for Enhanced Counter‑Terrorism Strikes

    Nigerian Air Force to Leverage US Intelligence for Enhanced Counter‑Terrorism Strikes

    Reporting by The Guardian indicates that the Nigerian Air Force plans to intensify operations against insurgent groups by incorporating reconnaissance data provided by the United States to better locate and strike terrorist hideouts.

    Nigerian officials say the military will integrate real‑time intelligence from US flight missions to improve target accuracy, build on recent strikes in the Northwest and Northeast, and reduce collateral damage while increasing operational effectiveness.

    The development was also reported by Vanguard and The Nation, which both highlighted the expected impact of intelligence sharing on Nigeria’s air campaign against ISWAP and bandit networks.

    Echotitbits take: The integration of US recon data addresses a long‑standing gap in actionable intelligence. If implemented well, it could help disrupt bandit leadership and logistics—provided the military maintains strong ground‑level human intelligence to avoid over‑reliance on technology.

    Source: AirForce – https://airforce.mil.ng/news/united-states-commends-nigerian-air-force-counter-terrorism-efforts1323475460 2026-01-07

    Photo Credit: Nigerian Air Force Media

  • Nigerian Air Force claims 2,351 terrorists killed in 2025 air campaign

    Nigerian Air Force claims 2,351 terrorists killed in 2025 air campaign

    2026-01-01 07:30:00
    Figures cited by Punch show the Nigerian Air Force says it neutralised 2,351 terrorists in 2025 through sustained air interdiction operations across multiple theatres.

    The service said repeated sorties were aimed at severing supply chains, disrupting movement corridors, and weakening leadership structures across key conflict zones.

    Beyond counter-terror missions, the NAF also highlighted operations targeting oil theft infrastructure in the Niger Delta.

    The Whistler quoted the NAF describing the campaign as “Sustained precision strikes” that “disrupted supply chains.”

    The Guardian Nigeria also reported targeted strikes led to the destruction of illegal refining reservoirs and related assets.

    Echotitbits take:

    Headline numbers need verification. Watch whether 2026 sees fewer mass abductions and attacks in high-risk corridors, and whether air gains are matched by ground holding operations and community intelligence.

    Source: The Punch — January 1, 2026 (https://punchng.com/2351-terrorists-killed-in-2025-air-raids-naf/)

    The Punch 2026-01-01

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • NAF fast-tracks 24 M‑346 fighters and new helicopters as air power upgrade accelerates

    NAF fast-tracks 24 M‑346 fighters and new helicopters as air power upgrade accelerates

    Photo Credit: The Nation
    2025-12-27 06:00:00

    Reporting by The Nation indicates the Nigerian Air Force is intensifying plans to acquire 24 M‑346 fighter ground‑attack aircraft alongside helicopters and additional UAVs to strengthen operational readiness.

    The report linked the planned fleet upgrades to persistent security pressures, including banditry and insurgent threats, where faster surveillance-to-strike cycles and better air mobility can be decisive.

    Defence watchers say the real test will be sustainment—training pipelines, spares, maintenance contracts, and mission availability rates—so the announced numbers translate into predictable air support in hotspots.

    Echotitbits take:
    Nigeria’s airpower plan sounds ambitious, but procurement alone doesn’t win campaigns. Track timelines, basing, pilot/crew training, and whether maintenance funding is ring‑fenced. Also watch how UAV integration changes intelligence and civilian‑harm mitigation.

    Source: The Nation — December 27, 2025 (https://thenationonlineng.net/naf-to-acquire-24-new-aircraft-uavs-to-boost-operational-readiness/)
    The Nation December 27, 2025

  • Burkina Faso Releases Nigerian Air Force Crew After Emergency Landing Talks

    Burkina Faso Releases Nigerian Air Force Crew After Emergency Landing Talks

    2025-12-18 00:00:00

    In a report carried by Punch, Burkina Faso has released Nigerian Air Force personnel detained after a military aircraft made an emergency landing, following diplomatic engagement between both countries.

    The development, according to the report, followed high-level talks led by Nigeria’s foreign affairs officials, with authorities seeking to de-escalate what had become a sensitive regional incident.

    The aircraft, Punch notes, was en route for scheduled maintenance when the emergency diversion occurred—an episode that unfolded amid broader tensions in the Sahel region.

    The Associated Press quoted a spokesperson as saying, “Matters have been resolved, they are no longer detained,” while noting that the incident had triggered heightened security posture in the Sahel alliance. (AP)

    The Guardian earlier described the landing as an “unauthorised” incident that deepened a diplomatic standoff and fuelled conflicting reports about the troops’ status. (The Guardian)

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: The quick resolution underscores how fragile airspace and security incidents can become in West Africa’s current climate. Watch for whether this episode leads to new protocols on military transit, clearer regional deconfliction channels, and re-calibrated Nigeria–Sahel alliance engagement.

    Source: Punch — December 18, 2025 (https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/843935-burkina-faso-frees-detained-nigerian-soldiers.html)

    Photo credit: Premium Times

  • Nigeria moves to buy 24 M‑346 fighter jets in €1.2bn deal to bolster counter‑insurgency

    Nigeria moves to buy 24 M‑346 fighter jets in €1.2bn deal to bolster counter‑insurgency

    Photo Credit: Punch
    2025-12-17

    According to multiple reports, the federal government is advancing a €1.2 billion procurement for 24 M‑346 fighter jets as part of a wider push to strengthen air power against insurgency, banditry and kidnapping threats.

    The acquisition is expected to include training, logistics and longer‑term maintenance support, a key factor for keeping aircraft operational in difficult theatres.

    If delivered on schedule, the jets could expand Nigeria’s precision‑strike and surveillance capacity, particularly in the North‑East, while easing pressure on older platforms and improving pilot training pipelines.

    The real impact, however, will depend on basing, sustainment budgets, intelligence integration and rules of engagement — the ‘tail’ often matters as much as the ‘tooth’ in air campaigns.

    Business Insider Africa: “deliveries of 24 M-346FA fighter jets… almost finalised, signalling a major upgrade of its air power.”

    TheCable: “The deal was reportedly worth around €1.2 billion… [and] included… 25 years of logistical support.”

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: Big-ticket defence buys can shift capability — but sustainment is everything. Watch for financing terms, delivery milestones, and whether procurement transparency improves amid broader security spending scrutiny.

    Source: Punch — December 17, 2025 — https://punchng.com/insurgency-fg-to-acquire-24-fighter-jets-for-e1-2bn/

  • Burkina Faso detention row: Nigeria says detained soldiers safe as talks continue

    Burkina Faso detention row: Nigeria says detained soldiers safe as talks continue

    According to The Punch, Nigerian soldiers detained in Burkina Faso after a Nigerian Air Force C‑130 made a precautionary landing remained in custody days later, with Abuja pursuing diplomatic engagement to resolve the dispute.

    Punch reported that the aircraft was on an overseas mission and landed due to a technical concern, while Burkina Faso’s authorities and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) framed the incident as an unauthorised entry into their airspace.

    Premium Times quoted the Nigerian Air Force saying the landing was “in accordance with standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols,” underscoring Abuja’s argument that the diversion was legitimate and safety-driven.

    The Guardian’s international coverage noted the AES described the episode as an “unfriendly act,” reflecting the heightened regional tensions between ECOWAS states and the Sahel alliance.

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: This is as much about regional politics as it is about aviation procedures. The AES–ECOWAS rift has created a trust deficit where even routine incidents can be interpreted as hostile moves. Watch for: the final terms of release/transfer, any formal diplomatic note exchanged, and whether Nigeria adjusts flight-clearance protocols when transiting AES-controlled airspace.

    Source: The Punch — 14 Dec 2025 (https://punchng.com/nigerian-soldiers-spend-sixth-day-in-burkina-faso-detention/)

     

    Photo Credit: Nigeria Troops — Crisis Group

  • Tinubu Names Retired Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Adamu to Lead Military Pensions Board

    President Bola Tinubu approved the appointment of Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Idris Adamu (retd.) as Chairman of the Military Pensions Board, effective December 1, 2025. The government said the move aligns with efforts to improve transparency and efficiency in pension administration.

    Officials expect the new leadership to strengthen veterans’ welfare and tighten accountability across the system.

    2025-12-10

    Punch Newspapers

    2025-12-10

  • Suspect Narrates How He Mistakenly Killed Female Helicopter Pilot, Arotile

    Suspect Narrates How He Mistakenly Killed Female Helicopter Pilot, Arotile

    A suspect, Nehemiah Adejoh, who drove the car that ran over the female helicopter pilot, Tolulope Arotile, has said he killed her by mistake, Daily Trust has reported.

    Narrating his story at a Kaduna Magistrate Court on Thursday, the suspect explained that he mistakenly ran over the deceased.

    Adejoh was reported to be the one behind the steering of the vehicle that knocked down Arotile on July 11 before she was pronounced dead at the Nigerian Air Force hospital in Kaduna.

    Appearing before a Kaduna magistrate court on Thursday, Adejoh noted that he never intended to kill Arotile.

    He also denied having any premeditated plan to kill her in his cautionary statement.

    He explained that on sighting the deceased walking along the roadside at the Air Force base, he started reversing the car in order to exchange pleasantries with her, but mistakenly ran over her.

    The police have charged the suspect with culpable homicide.

    The Chief Magistrate, Danjuma Hassan, has ordered the suspect to be remanded in prison pending further hearing.

    The judge has, however, fixed October 3 as the day for further hearing.

    Idowu Sowunmi