The Federal Government has reportedly withdrawn Nigeria’s Presidential Boeing 737-700 Business Jet from an international sales listing after receiving offers deemed far below expectations. Sunday Punch cites senior presidency and security sources indicating that some bids were around $10 million, which officials considered inadequate for the 20-year-old aircraft. Aviation market logic mentioned in the report suggests older VIP jets attract fewer serious buyers, as high-net-worth purchasers often prefer newer airframes with stronger manufacturer support and updated bespoke interiors. Source: Punch, December 7, 2025.
Tag: Nigerian Airforce
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NAF pilots escape death as fighter jet crashes in Niger
Two Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet pilots reportedly survived an in-flight emergency during a post-inspection functional check flight from the Kainji base in Niger State. The story says the pilots ejected safely after steering the aircraft away from populated areas, helping to prevent civilian casualties. The Air Force spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed the incident and noted that the pilots were undergoing routine medical evaluation. The Chief of Air Staff also reportedly ordered a Board of Inquiry to investigate the cause of the crash, reiterating the NAF’s commitment to operational safety. Source: The Nation, December 7, 2025.
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Air Force Court Martial Sentences 4 Others to 21 Years Imprisonment
Four executive members of the 151 Base Services Group (151 BSG) Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Makurdi, who were standing trial before a General Court Martial (GCM), sitting at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base, Makurdi for criminal misappropriation of over N41,000,000.00, were, on 24 September 2020, awarded various sentences.
A statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola noted that the 4 NAF personnel, who were arraigned before the GCM for Misappropriation of Cooperative Funds, amongst other offences, include Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt) Sherifi Olawoore, Flying Officer (Fg Offr) Ademola Adekoya, Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Michael Oyebanji and Warrant Officer (WO) Paul Atteh. The personnel were sentenced based on their levels of involvement.
Delivering his judgement, the President of the GCM, Air Commodore Nazib Aliyu, pronounced the 4 accused personnel guilty of various charges. Flt Lt Olawoore was tried for negligently performing his duty as the President of the Cooperative, found guilty and awarded 6 months loss of seniority. In the same vein, Fg Offr Adekoya was tried for negligently performing his duty as Secretary of the Cooperative. He was found guilty and awarded one year loss of seniority.
MWO Michael Oyebanji, who was the Vice President of the Cooperative, was tried on a 46 count charge, including; Criminal Breach of Trust, Theft, Criminal Conspiracy, Criminal Misappropriation, Making of False Documents and Conduct to the Prejudice of Service Discipline, contrary to Sections 114 and 103 (d) of the Armed Forces Act Cap A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and Sections 312, 287, 96 and 309 of the Penal Code Cap P3 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. He was found guilty on all 46 counts and subsequently sentenced to serve 21 years imprisonment, cumulatively, as well as reduction in rank to Corporal and ordered to refund all monies misappropriated. In the same vein, WO Paul Atteh, who was tried for negligently performing his duty as the Treasurer of the Cooperative as well as for the Making of False Documents and Criminal Breach of Trust, was found guilty of all 3 charges. He was awarded reduction in rank from WO to Sergeant, in the first instance, and then eventually reduced to the rank of Corporal. He is also required to pay a fine of N1,000,000.00. Meanwhile, the GCM has ordered the release of WO Atteh from detention.
While pleading in mitigation, the Defence Counsel urged the Court to show leniency, describing the Accused Persons as first-time offenders. The sentences were announced as being subject to confirmation by the Appropriate Superior Authority. However, it is within the rights of the Accused Personnel to appeal the judgment of the GCM, if they are dissatisfied.
Tobiloba Kolawole
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Buhari, Aisha mourn first female NAF combat helicopter pilot, Tolulope Arotile
President Muhammadu Buhari and First Lady, Aisha, have mourned the passing of Flying Officer Tolulope Oluwatoyin Sarah Arotile, who died in a road accident in Kaduna.
Late Arotile died on July 14 at the age of 24, when she was inadvertently hit by the reversing vehicle of an excited former Air Force Secondary School classmate while trying to greet her. She died as a result of head injuries sustained from the incident.
Born on December 13, 1995 to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Akintunde Arotile in Kaduna, late Arotile hailed from Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Flying Officer Arotile was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force as a Pilot Officer on September 16, 2017 and held a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the Nigerian Defence Academy.
She was winged as the first ever female combat helicopter pilot in the Nigerian Air Force on October 15, 2019, after completing her flying training in South Africa. She held a commercial pilot licence and also underwent tactical flying training on the Agusta 109 Power Attack Helicopter in Italy.
Incidentally, late Arotile introduced the newly acquired Agusta 109 Power Attack Helicopter to Buhari during the induction ceremony at Eagle Square in Abuja on February 6, 2020.
Before her untimely death, she made significant and outstanding contributions to the war against terrorism, armed banditry and other forms of criminality in the Country, flying several combat missions.
She joined the Nigerian Air Force out of passion for the job.
According to her, “I joined the military simply out of passion for it. Being a military personnel has been a long time ambition, the carriage and what it stands for are simply exceptional.”
Condoling with the family on loss of such a promising officer, whose short stay on earth impacted greatly on the nation, especially in peace and security, the President saluted Arotile’s bravery in the field to protect the country from onslaught of bandits and terrorists.
He assured that her memory would be indelible, and her efforts remembered.
Buhari commiserated with the Nigerian Air Force, airmen, airwomen and all friends of the deceased, recalling her deft skills in manoeuvring combat helicopters, which he had physically witnessed with pride.
The President sympathised with government and people of Kogi State on the loss.
Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, prayed God to receive the soul of the departed, and comfort the family she left behind.
Also, First Lady said of late Arotile: “It’s with a heavy heart that I received the news of the demise of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, the first female Nigerian Airforce Combat Helicopter Pilot.
“I condole with the family of Flying Officer Arotile, the Nigerian Airforce and the country over this irreparable loss.
“The deceased was an intelligent young woman, a huge potential, a representative of both Nigerian women and youth, and what they could achieve.”
Late Arotile attended Air Force Primary School, Kaduna from 2000 to 2005 and Air Force Secondary School, Kaduna between 2006 and 2011 before she later gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna as a member of 64 Regular Course on 22 September 2012.
Idowu Sowunmi
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Nigerian Air Force strikes ‘scores’ of Boko Haram Terrorists, tear-down base
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has destroyed scores of Boko Haram terrorists (BHTs ) in Tongule and Bukar Meram areas of Borno State.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, it was confirmed that the NAF airstrikes, which were carried out on June 25 after a series of surveillance missions indicated a resurgence of terrorists’ activities at the two settlements.
Enenche noted that this latest military action is “another set of successful air interdiction missions executed by the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole under the subsidiary Operation Long Reach.
The defence spokesman explained that: “At Tongule, where recent credible intelligence indicated frequent convergence of BHTs, about 35 terrorists were spotted by the NAF surveillance aircraft in different parts of the settlement as it vectored the fighter jets to attack the target area.
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“The munitions from the jets hit designated areas within the settlement, destroying some structures and taking out many of the terrorists.
“Similarly, at Bukar Meram, a BHT logistics hub on the fringes of the Lake Chad, the airstrikes, which were carefully timed and executed in multiple waves for maximum effects, resulted in the obliteration of designated portions of the terrorists’ facilities.
“Several of their fighters were also killed in the process”, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations said.
Meanwhile, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has commended the Air Task Force for their dedication and professionalism.
This comes as the Defence Headquarters equally asked them to “intensify the air offensive against the terrorists and all other criminal elements threatening the peace and security of our beloved country.”
Nigerian Air Force (NAF) airstrike pictures:
A screen grab from the Air Force video shows the scene of the airstrikes on Boko Haram Logistics Base in Borno State. Credit: Defence Headquarters. 
A screen grab from the Air Force video shows the scene of the airstrikes on Boko Haram Logistics Base in Borno State. Credit: Defence Headquarters. 
A screen grab from the Air Force video shows the scene of the airstrikes on Boko Haram Logistics Base in Borno State. Credit: Defence Headquarters. 
A screen grab from the Air Force video shows the scene of the airstrikes on Boko Haram Logistics Base in Borno State. Credit: Defence Headquarters.