President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced and confirmed that the federal government has procured four attack helicopters from the United States of America, which are expected to arrive in Nigeria soon as part of a broader effort to strengthen national security operations across the country. The announcement was made on Friday, December 26, 2025, during a meeting with leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at the President’s Lagos residence.
The helicopters, advanced military aircraft designed to support counter-insurgency and anti-terrorism operations.
In his remarks to CAN delegates led by Archbishop Daniel Okoh, Tinubu acknowledged that delays in the delivery of military hardware have shaped public perception of his administration’s security strategy, noting the complexity and cost of such procurements.
“Military hardware is difficult to replace. It is expensive and not available off the shelf,” the President said, underlining that the ordered attack helicopters “will take some time to arrive.”
He added that the government has also reached out to Turkey for additional support, underscoring a multi-pronged approach to reinforcing the nation’s security architecture.
Tinubu framed the acquisition within the wider context of ongoing reforms, including the establishment of community and state policing, which he said would become a reality once the National Assembly completes the required legislative processes.
Responding to the President’s account of the security efforts, Archbishop Okoh expressed support for the federal government’s initiatives. He highlighted the relative peace experienced during the 2025 Christmas period compared to previous years, suggesting “fewer reports of attacks on churches” as a positive sign.
“You are our President. The Church has no choice but to support you and your administration,” Archbishop Okoh said, commending the government’s engagement with religious leaders and communities.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of escalating insecurity across Nigeria, which has seen a mix of insurgent activity in the north-east and banditry in other regions. Security cooperation with international partners, particularly the United States, has recently intensified. Notably, coordinated air operations targeting terrorist enclaves in Sokoto State were carried out with U.S. assistance just days earlier, underscoring deepening military collaboration.
Nigeria’s engagement with external partners also reflects broader strategic moves to integrate modern equipment into its armed forces. These include the acquisition of other aircraft and aerial platforms in recent years, as part of efforts to modernise the Nigerian Air Force and improve response capacity to internal threats.
Alongside the helicopter announcement, Tinubu has repeatedly assured Nigerians that the recalibrated security architecture — combining foreign support, airpower enhancements, and community policing reforms, will begin to yield tangible gains in curbing violence and restoring public confidence.
Officials have described these efforts as part of a comprehensive approach to confronting persistent security challenges, even as they acknowledge the long road ahead.
