President Bola Tinubu has announced that four attack helicopters ordered from the United States will arrive in Nigeria soon as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s security capabilities and tackle growing insecurity. Tinubu Says Four US-Made Attack Helicopters to Arrive Soon Amid Security Concerns
The President disclosed this on Friday while meeting with a delegation of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), led by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, at his residence in Lagos. He said the Federal Government had already placed orders for the helicopters but acknowledged that delivery timelines for military hardware are often slow.
According to Tinubu, delays in the arrival of the helicopters have affected public perception of the government’s commitment to addressing security challenges, even though efforts are ongoing behind the scenes.
“Our orders for four attack helicopters from the United States of America will take some time to arrive,” the President said. “We have also approached Turkey for assistance.”
Tinubu explained that modern military equipment is expensive and not readily available for immediate delivery, noting that replacing hardware requires careful planning and international cooperation.
He also assured Nigerians that plans to introduce community and state policing were progressing, adding that the initiative would become operational once the National Assembly completes the necessary legislative framework.
“Community and State Police will be a reality once the National Assembly completes the required legislative inputs,” Tinubu said.
The President reiterated that his administration remained committed to restoring peace and security across the country, despite the evolving tactics of bandits and insurgents, whom he described as operating through guerrilla-style warfare.
Nigeria has continued to grapple with widespread insecurity, including terrorism, banditry, and insurgency across several regions. The situation has drawn international attention, leading to increased security cooperation between Nigeria and its foreign partners, including the United States.
On Thursday, former US President Donald Trump announced via his Truth Social platform that the United States had carried out air strikes on terrorist targets in North-West Nigeria. He claimed that several militants were killed during the operation.
“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist scum in North-West Nigeria,” Trump said, adding that the militants were responsible for attacks on civilians, particularly Christians.
The Nigerian government later confirmed the air strikes, stating that they were conducted in collaboration with Nigerian authorities as part of ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigeria remains engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners to combat terrorism and violent extremism.
“Nigerian authorities remain engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America, in addressing the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism,” the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said.
According to the ministry, the collaboration has led to “precision hits on terrorist targets” through air strikes in the North-West, carried out in line with international law and mutual respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty.
