Tinubu Confirms Arrival of Four U.S. Attack Helicopters as Nigeria Steps Up Fight Against Insecurity

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced that Nigeria will soon take delivery of four attack helicopters from the United States, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s security architecture amid rising insecurity.

The president made the disclosure on Friday, December 26, during a meeting with a delegation of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), led by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, at his Lagos residence. Tinubu said the Federal Government had already placed orders for the combat helicopters, noting that while their delivery would take some time, they are expected to arrive in the country soon.

“Our orders for four attack helicopters from the United States of America will take some time to arrive,” Tinubu said. “We have also approached Turkey for assistance.”

The president acknowledged that delays in acquiring critical military hardware have affected public perception of his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity. He stressed, however, that such equipment is expensive, difficult to replace, and not readily available off the shelf.

Tinubu also reiterated his administration’s support for community and state policing, describing it as an inevitable step once the National Assembly completes the necessary legislative framework. According to him, decentralised policing will play a key role in improving security at the grassroots level.

Despite ongoing security challenges and the use of guerrilla tactics by bandits and insurgents, the president said the government remains determined to restore peace and prosperity across the country.

His comments come shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that American forces had carried out airstrikes against terrorist targets in North-West Nigeria on Christmas Day. The Nigerian government later confirmed that the strikes were conducted in collaboration with the United States as part of a joint counterterrorism effort.

The planned arrival of the attack helicopters signals a renewed push by the Tinubu administration to enhance Nigeria’s airpower and strengthen its response to security threats nationwide.