By Ayomide Otitoju
President Bola Tinubu has announced that four attack helicopters ordered from the United States will arrive in Nigeria soon, as the country continues to battle rising insecurity and insurgency.
The President made the disclosure on Friday while receiving a delegation from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), led by Archbishop Daniel Okoh, at his Lagos residence. Tinubu said the helicopters form part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security apparatus.
“Our orders for four attack helicopters from the United States of America will take some time to arrive. We have approached Turkey for assistance,” he said.
The announcement comes in the wake of a US military strike in North-West Nigeria, which targeted militants responsible for attacks on civilians. Former US President Donald Trump announced the operation on Truth Social on Thursday, stating that the strike was ordered under his authority as Commander-in-Chief.
“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, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians,” Trump posted.
The Nigerian government confirmed the strikes, describing them as part of structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States. Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said precision airstrikes had been conducted against terrorist targets in the North-West.
Tinubu also addressed delays in acquiring military hardware, noting that such equipment is expensive and not readily available off the shelf. He reassured Nigerians that community and state police will become a reality once the National Assembly completes the required legislative processes.
“The government is not relenting in its efforts to return the nation to peace and prosperity, despite the guerrilla tactics of bandits and insurgents,” the President said, urging continued patience and cooperation from citizens.
