The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said it is working on acquiring 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters to strengthen its combat capabilities, as the military sustains air operations against security threats across the country.

The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this yesterday ahead of the first anniversary of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, on October 30.

This comes as the air component of the Northeast Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), has reported killing 15 Boko Haram terrorists in an airstrike while the ground troops recovered several AK-47 rifles in the Bitta-Dute axis of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

OPHK Acting Media Information Officer, Capt. Mohammed Goni, disclosed in a statement yesterday that the operation was conducted at about 11:50 p.m. Saturday following credible intelligence and confirmed sightings of terrorist movements in the general area of Pulka.

Goni added that the precision strike was subsequently followed by ground operations to exploit the area and consolidate the operational gains.

Ejodame explained that the planned acquisition of attack helicopters forms part of efforts to modernise the service’s fleet and improve its combat, airlift, training, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

He added that NAF received five additional helicopters, comprising three AW-109 Trekker Type B helicopters and two H125 helicopters, in September.

Also disclosed that six L-39ZA aircraft were undergoing reactivation and upgrade in Slovakia and Nigeria, while periodic depot maintenance on a C-130 aircraft was ongoing in Portugal.

NAF is also pursuing indigenous 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, the statement added.

Ejodame explained that the initiatives were part of Aneke’s transformation agenda, which prioritised operational effectiveness, personnel welfare, technological advancement and institutional accountability.

On operational activities, Ejodame said the NAF recorded over 6,100 flying hours and over 2,900 sorties between November 2025 and September 2026, consuming nearly 10 million litres of Jet A-1 aviation fuel in support of national security operations.

According to him, the missions included precision air strikes, armed reconnaissance, surveillance and close air support designed to degrade hostile elements, disrupt their freedom of action, and improve the effectiveness of ground forces.

In all, over 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.