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Tag: Helicopter

  • USA, France to join Nigeria examine wreckage of crashed helicopter

    USA, France to join Nigeria examine wreckage of crashed helicopter

    The Federal Government has disclosed that representatives from the United States of America (USA) and France will be joining investigators at the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to examine the wreckage of the helicopter that crashed into the Atlantic Ocean.

    The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, explained the countries would join Nigeria in the investigation because the aircraft was designed and manufactured in the USA, while the engine of the aircraft was designed and manufactured in France.

    The Sikorsky SK76 helicopter with registration number 5N-BQG crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the Coast of Bonny Finima on October 24, 2024.

    The helicopter, which is operated by Eastwind Aviation, had six passengers and two crew members on board at the time of the accident.

    So far, five bodies have been found, while three bodies are still missing.

    The Minister said the helicopter engines and other related components will be examined at the NSIB wreckage hangar in Abuja after being subjected to a teardown exercise.

    He said: “The participating states on this issue are the United States of America, as the State of design and manufacture of the helicopter, it has appointed a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator. So, we are cooperating and collaborating with the United States where it was manufactured, and they have actually appointed an investigator to work with us.

    “He is an accredited representative of the NTSB in America, assisted by a technical advisor, nominated by Sikorsky Aircrafts.
    “Meanwhile, France, as a state of design and manufacture of the engines, has appointed an accredited representative assisted by a technical advisor from SAFRAN, the engine manufacturer, because the engine was manufactured in France”.

    He added that the examination aims to find safety issues and recommend a safety change to prevent a similar occurrence.

    “We will examine the roles of man, machine, and the environment that might have directly or indirectly contributed to this accident. We will review the certified maintenance documents of the crash helicopter and the crew’s training and medical records. We have received full cooperation from the operator, and as I speak with you, all the agencies of the aviation, NCAA, NAMA, and NiMet are all cooperating with the NSIB”.

    The Minister also hinted that not less than 60 personnel were deployed for the search and rescue operation.

    Read Also: FG hands over three Agusta helicopters to Navy

    He, however, noted that the operation was interrupted by heavy rains, oceanic currents, and strong winds.

    He said: “Over 60 personnel were mobilized to the sites, including professional divers and other technical experts. We deployed marine vessels and diver boats equipped with sophisticated state-of-the-art gadgets for scanning the seabed and tracking the depth of the sea around the vicinity of the accident sites varied from 40 to 100 meters.

    “It is imperative to mention that the search and rescue operations continued unabated day and night for 14 days. So far, five bodies were identified to be the deceased passengers were recovered, while one passenger and two crew members are yet to be found.”

    On the identity of the victims, the minister said: “No foreigner was on board the ill-fated helicopter. They were all Nigerians.”
    On the fate of the three missing bodies, the Director General of NSIB, Alex Badeh Jr. said the search continues.

    He also said the Federal Government has notified Cameroon of the search operation, adding that it suspects that some bodies may have floated to Cameroon.

    Badeh said: “As you know, the federal government does not give up on any Nigerian citizen lost or harmed anywhere. So, the Nigerian government, through the Federal Ministry of Aviation and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, is still conducting a long-term search and recovery effort for the missing two crew members and one missing passenger.

    “We have notified others in the littoral waters, Cameroon in particular, to see if anybody floats up into their waters. As you know, we found one body in Cameroon a few days later. So, we’re still looking. The Navy is still on the lookout and so is the NNPC. So, Nigeria will not give up on the missing victims.

    “We suspect that the other three may have floated into Cameroon and the NSIB has also informed the Cameroonian authorities to also assist at their end because we don’t have the right to just get into their waters like that without adequate clearance”.
    Badeh also said families of the victims would be offered support.

    “With the Family Assistance Program mandated by ICAO, we provide emotional support, psychological support as well as update them as we go on with the investigation”.

  • Ministry, AON hold sensitisation meeting over helicopter landing fees

    Ministry, AON hold sensitisation meeting over helicopter landing fees

    The Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development yesterday held a sensitisation meeting with the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) on the report of the Ministerial Committee set up to review the collection of Helicopter landing levies. The Director, Legal, Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Rita Egbadon presided over the meeting.

    In a statement signed by the Head, Press and Public Affairs of the Ministry, Odutayo Oluseyi, the Committee was mandated to review the exercise and come up with recommendations following complaints by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON).

    Highlighting the report, Egbadon maintained that Helicopter landing Levies are part of global aviation practices which contribute to the national economy.

    “The Levy to the Federal Government through NAMA is statutory for provision of Air Navigational Services for Helicopter landing by oil companies on oil fields, Terminals, Platform, Riggs, Floating Productive Storage and Offloading (FPSO) on Helipads, Airstrip, and Aerodromes,” she explained.

    She further revealed that the committee findings shows that the legal backup for the Levy is in line with NAMA Act of 2022, and the processes of the Levies are also obtainable in countries like; India, United Kingdom, United States and European Union and that the committee was appalled at the level of wastage the country has incurred in the past years.

    “The committee discovered that before its assignment, oil companies were invoiced by third parties, such as Helicopter operators, this didn’t make for transparency and compliance,” she noted.

    She said that the committee equally resolved in its report that the invoicing of the Oil Companies directly rather than third parties would go a long way to eliminate complaints by stakeholders including the AON.

    She informed AON that companies, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCLimited), Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) and INTELS have ensured compliance earlier than now.

    Read Also: Offshore helicopter services market to hit $3.4b by 2032

     She concluded by saying that Naebi Dynamic Concepts Limited was and is charged by the Ministry to collect and enforce the Helicopter Landing fees and as such all oil companies on oil fields, Terminals, Platform, Riggs, Floating Productive Storage and Offloading (FPSO) on Helipads, Airstrip, and Aerodromes should comply with  the outcome of the report.

    Responding, AON noted that it has no role in the collection of the Helicopter Levies and no Levy should be paid to them or their members promising that information that will help the process of compliance will be made available to all concerned.

  • Offshore helicopter services market to hit $3.4b by 2032

    Offshore helicopter services market to hit $3.4b by 2032

    The global offshore helicopter services market is projected to hit $3.4 billion by 2032 , data obtained from a market research report put together by  IMARC Group has revealed.

    IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the global, regional and country levels from 2024-2032.

    The report also  provides  a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, including :  North America , comprising the United States and Canada,  Asia Pacific , consisting – China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others as well as  Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia,  Brazil, Mexico,  Middle East and Africa. According to the report, Europe accounted for the largest market share.

    The offshore helicopter services market, which hovered around $ 2.6 billion last year, is expected to exhibit a cumulative annual growth rate of 2.9 per cent in the nine years.

    Nigeria in the African region as one of the frontier markets will see a growing demand for more helicopters owing largely to the  increasing demand for chopper services in emergencies, the development of infrastructure in remote offshore locations, the rising need for resource extraction and renewable energy projects.

    Regulatory sources hinted that there are over 300 helicopters operating in Nigeria, including those of military and para – military organisations.

    Increasingly, helicopter operations is gaining traction in Nigeria, Africa’s largest aviation market with the deployment of choppers into many activities, including surveillance, oil and gas offshore  services, medical evacuation and other operations.

    Offshore helicopter services encompass the monitoring and inspection of oil rigs, along with the transportation of both goods and passengers.

    Experts say various helicopter types, including medium, heavy, and light, are commonly utilized in these operations, serving purposes such as drilling, production, relocation, decommissioning, and transporting supplies and equipment during construction and subsea exploration.

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    The components of offshore helicopter services, they say  include a ground station, transceiver, processor, combat cabinet, and power supply. These services play a crucial role in supporting oil and gas rigs and offshore windfarms by delivering essential supplies, conducting medical evacuations, and transporting crew members to platforms.

    By enhancing operational efficiency, ensuring safety, and improving situational awareness, helicopter services, experts say  contribute to the reduction of accidents and operational costs.

    In Nigeria, the government is reaching out to  International Oil Companies (IOCs) and Local Oil Companies (LOCs) under the aegis of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) to create an operational framework for helicopter services.

    To drive this, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development met with stakeholders in the eco- system in  anticipation of the approval of the proposed recommendations by the Ministerial committee set up to review the helicopter landing levies collected by the ministry’s agent :  NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Limited.

    The meeting, initiated by the OPTS, is primarily composed of IOCs, focused on creating a framework for navigational services.

    A source familiar with the meeting’s agenda revealed that discussions extensively covered issues related to facilities, building and navigational equipment, and the training of youths already deployed by the IOCs.

    The IOCs were encouraged to allow NAEBI Dynamic Concepts to support their community relations efforts.

    NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Limited is the government-approved consultant responsible for handling levies on helicopter services for monitoring, surveillance, and security within Nigeria’s lower airspace.

    The helicopter landing levies are aeronautical revenues applied within the lower airspace, targeting IOCs and LOCs, not airline operators, in line with global conventions and international best practices.

    Beyond generating revenue for the government, these levies on oil fields, terminals, platforms, rigs, floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) units, helipads, airstrips, and aerodromes are also intended to strengthen national security.

    Findings show that the amended NAMA Act 2023, particularly Section 8(1)(a), mandates the provision of air traffic services in Nigeria and in any place where Nigeria is responsible for air navigation services.

    Additionally, Section 8(1)(w) of the amended NAMA Act 1999 empowers NAMA to charge for all services it provides.

    Section 16 allows the Agency to appoint, contract, liaise, or cooperate with experts, including specialized agencies, academic, or technical institutes, to assist in carrying out its functions.

    Investigations reveal   that the IOCs and the LOCs who were members of the ministerial committee  may have agreed that helicopter landing levies remain.

    Findings suggest strong evidence and empirical data supporting the initiative, as detailed in the ministerial committee’s report on the review or concession for the collection of helicopter landing levies by NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Limited.

    The validation from critical stakeholders, job opportunities, legal framework, and various benefits outweigh any known or perceived concerns.

    Following initial complaints from the Airline Operators in Nigeria (AON), the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, temporarily suspended the approval granted to NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Limited and directed the formation of a Ministerial Committee to address the issues and provide recommendations. This committee included all stakeholders.

    “There are also indications that the levy may be reviewed, or some sort of concession given to IOCs. We eagerly await the Minister’s directive in this regard,” the anonymous source added.

    The IOCs that attended the meeting included the OPTS Oil Producers Trade Section, while those that attended virtually included Agip, Shell, Total, Mobil, Elf, Chevron and others.

  • FG temporarily suspends collection of helicopter landing Levy

    FG temporarily suspends collection of helicopter landing Levy

    The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has temporarily suspended the collection of helicopter landing levy.

    The Federal Government had granted Messers NAEBI Dynamic Concept Ltd exclusive rights as a consultant to collect the levies.

    Stakeholders expressed their reservations on the appropriateness of the levies after the firm was granted rights.

    The minister announced the suspension after a meeting with the executives of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) on the issue bordering on helicopter landing levies collection at aerodromes, helipads, airstrips among others.

    Read Also: National Assembly halts amendment of CBN Act

    In a statement by the ministry’s spokesman, Odutayo Oluseyi, the minister said the suspension was due to calls for review by some stakeholders in the industry.

     Following calls made, the minister set up a committee with members from the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and its relevant agencies, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), International Oil Companies (IOCs) and Messers NAEBI Dynamic Concept Ltd.

    Members of the committee were charged to look into the issues raised by concerned stakeholders and submit a report on or before the end of June 2024.

    The recommendations of the committee, according to the minister, would proffer a way forward.

    He, however, said the suspension takes effect from 30th May,2024.

  • Why we suspended helicopter landing levies, by Fed Govt

    Why we suspended helicopter landing levies, by Fed Govt

    The federal government has clarified the temporary suspension of the helicopter landing levy collection, stating that enforcement was paused to address concerns raised by industry stakeholders.

    In a document titled “Aviation Industry Update: Clearing the Air on Helicopter Landing Levies Collection,” sighted by the media, the government acknowledged that recent reports had caused confusion among aviation industry participants.

    The document confirmed that the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, halted the project to thoroughly examine the issues raised by stakeholders.

    It said: “Contrary to reports, this suspension does not cancel the concession and mandate granted to the consultants responsible for collecting these levies.

    “Instead, a comprehensive review is underway to address issues and develop a forward-thinking approach. A specially constituted Committee, comprising representatives from the Ministry, its relevant Agencies, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), and International Oil Companies (IOCs) is working to achieve this goal.

    Read Also: NUPENGASSAN demands withdrawal of landing charges on helicopter operators

    “The Committee’s primary objective is to develop a workable framework for implementing compliance with landing levy payments, ensuring a win-win situation for all stakeholders.

    “By doing so, the industry can move forward in a spirit of collaboration and mutual understanding.

    “It is important to note that the suspension is a temporary measure aimed at resolving the current impasse. The Minister has reiterated his commitment to finding a lasting solution that benefits all parties involved. The Committee’s recommendations will be crucial in shaping the future of helicopter landing levies collection and ensuring a sustainable and thriving aviation industry.

    “Accurate reporting is central to the progress of the project. By doing so, we can foster a more informed and supportive environment for the aviation industry to thrive. Let’s embrace this opportunity for constructive dialogue and collective growth.

    “We urge all stakeholders to remain calm and supportive as we work together towards a resolution. The aviation industry is a vital sector that deserves our collective effort to ensure its continued growth and success.”

  • Why we granted helicopter landing levy collection rights to firm, by Fed Govt

    Why we granted helicopter landing levy collection rights to firm, by Fed Govt

    The Federal Government has given reasons for granting a company the exclusive rights to collect helicopter landing levy at all aerodromes, helipads, oil rig platforms and other places in the country.

    Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo, who gave the reasons, said millions of dollars had been lost due to poor regulation of the collection process.

    The minister said the company, NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Limited, got the current administration’s nod because it had already been considered by the immediate past minister, Senator Hadi Sirika, for the job.

    Speaking on a national television programme, Keyamo said: “I inherited the process from my predecessor. It is a good deal; so, I had to grant them the rights because before helicopters were totally unregulated and we lost millions of dollars to that practice.

    “Nigerians believe that helicopters have been flying and landing all over this country without paying anything; they were totally unregulated.

    “Government is a continuum, and if you see a good idea, you accept it. It is not everything I will cancel. I suspended Nigeria Air but this particular project is good. So, there was no reason to suspend it because the company said they would help us to collect fees from the helicopters through a PPP arrangement.

    “The company will put the infrastructure in place, employ personnel and remit to the Federal Government. So, everything will be going to the Federation Account and the company will get their cut.”

    Read Also: Why we granted firm rights to collect helicopter landing levy, by FG

    The minister announced the ministry’s decision to grant the rights to NAEBI in a letter he sent to all operators and stakeholders of civilian helicopter operations in the country.

    The letter reads: “The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Aviation, has granted an exclusive right to Messrs. NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Limited to collect helicopter landing levy at all aerodromes, helipads, air strips, FSPOs, and, oil rig platforms in Nigeria.

    “It is imperative that all operators and stakeholders fully comply with the mandate by granting total access to Messrs. NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Limited for the collection of levy, effective immediately.

    “Non-compliance with this directive will constitute a breach of the mandate and will be met with appropriate sanction. The ministry will enforce compliance without exception and will pursue all available remedies against any party that fails to adhere to the directive.

    “Please, note that the Ministry of Aviation will be monitoring compliance with this mandate closely, and will take swift action against any violation.”

  • Why we granted firm rights to collect helicopter landing levy, by FG

    Why we granted firm rights to collect helicopter landing levy, by FG

    The federal government has explained reasons for granting a company the exclusive rights to collect helicopter landing levy at all aerodromes, helipads, oil rig platforms and other places in the country.

    The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo said millions of dollars have been lost due to poor regulation of the collection process.

    He also said the company; NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Limited which he granted the rights to was the one the immediate past minister, Sen. Hadi Sirika was considering for the job.

    The Minister disclosed while speaking on a national television.

    He said: “I inherited the process from my predecessor. It is a good deal and so I had to grant them the rights because before, helicopters were totally unregulated and we lost millions of dollars to this practice.

    “Nigerians believe that helicopters have been flying and landing all over this country without paying anything; they were totally unregulated.

    “Government is a continuum and if you see a good idea, you accept it. It is not everything I will cancel. I suspended Nigeria Air but this particular project is good and so there was no reason to suspend it because the company said they would help us collect fees from the helicopters through a PPP arrangement.

    “The company will put the infrastructure in place, employ personnel and remit to the federal government. So, everything will be going to the federation account and the company will get their cut”.

    Read Also: Helicopter crash: How spotlight ignored Chizi Wigwe, Bimbo Ogunbanjo in death

    The ministry in a letter by the minister announced its decision to grant the rights to NAEBI in a letter to all operators and stakeholders of civilian helicopter operations in Nigeria.

    The letter reads: “The Federal Government of Nigeria through the Ministry of Aviation has granted an exclusive right to Messrs NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Limited to collect Helicopter Landing Levy at all Aerodromes. Helipads, Air Strips, FSPOs, and, Oil Rig Platforms in Nigeria.

    “It is imperative that all operators and stakeholders fully comply with the mandate, by granting total access to Messrs NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Limited for the collection of levy, effective immediately.

    “Non-compliance with this directive will constitute a breach of the mandate and will be met with appropriate sanction. The Ministry will enforce compliance without exception and will pursue all available remedies against any party that fails to adhere to the directive.

    “Please note that the Ministry of Aviation will be monitoring compliance with this mandate closely, and will take swift action against any violation”.

  • Global helicopter services market to hit $46.80b in five years

    Global helicopter services market to hit $46.80b in five years

    The global helicopter services market is projected to grow in the next five years  $27.76 billion to about $46.80 billion, a group, Mordor Intelligence, has said.

    The expected growth of the value chain covers every part of the globe with Nigeria as a frontier market, where increase in  mining, oil and gas, exploration, defence surveillance and emergency rescue services require the use of more helicopters.

    Statistics from the global database indicate that the market will grow at an Culmulative Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.01 per cent during the forecast period – 2024-2029.

    Experts said a new twist might have crept into the helicopter services market as  global economic conditions and the subsequent impacts on capital investment as well as consumer spending levels may throw up some hurdles.

    Findings indicate that new players in the value chain are focusing on new markets to gain an advantage over untapped ones.

    As a survival strategy, players in the helicopter charter service sub sector of the industry   are focusing on entering and expanding their customer base  through strategic partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions.

    With recent developments in the value chain related to safety and airworthiness concerns, both local and global civil aviation regulators are framing up tough and rigid rules as well as laws for helicopter operators.

    In Nigeria for instance, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has unique regulations for helicopter operations , especially prescribed hours of operations. Helicopters In Nigeria are not permitted by regulation to fly at night.

    Read Also: Global aircraft maintenance market inches towards $67.47b

    However, to develop the general aviation sector, several governments , including Nigeria are now devising supportive regulations to encourage both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter operations.

    Experts say  the helicopter services market is expected to be resilient through the coming decade due to the inherent diversity in the mission segments.

    While demand from some end-users is projected to decline, other end-users are expected to generate increasingly higher demand for helicopter services in the years to come.

    Over the last decade, experts say the helicopter services industry has witnessed a greater threat of substitution in some applications.

     Drones, they say  are slowly substituting helicopters in various roles due to their cheaper operation cost and reduced risk to humans.

    Drones are now performing tasks like land surveys, inspections, aerial observation, monitoring, photography, and videography quickly and close to the ground, delivering high-resolution data in a short timeframe.

    The development of large drones with advanced flight capabilities, coupled with the inability of the helicopter OEMs to eliminate existing technology limitations, may result in drone services continuing to substitute helicopter services in several non-transport applications in the coming years.

     This factor , experts say, might challenge the growth of the market during the forecast period.

    With the global temperatures rising, the world is expected to witness an increasing occurrence of wildfires in the next twenty years, generating a more important requirement for search and rescue and aerial firefighting activities. The frequency and intensity of natural disasters are also increasing each year, which might increase the need for search and rescue helicopters in the future.

    On the other hand, as roads become more congested, the need for quicker aerial transport is expected to increase, increasing the spending on Helicopter Emergency Medical Services, particularly in developing countries.

  • Wigwe: Access Holdings breaks silence on helicopter crash

    Wigwe: Access Holdings breaks silence on helicopter crash

    Access Holdings Plc has broken its silence over the helicopter crash in the United States reportedly involving its Chief Executive Officer, Herbert Wigwe.

    The Nation reports Wigwe was feared dead when a helicopter conveying him and five others crashed on Friday night near the California-Nevada border in the US.

    The firm clarified that it lacked specific information concerning the crash, but they are collaborating with the US authorities who it said would provide updates on the matter.

    In a statement tagged “Important announcement” on its official Instagram handle, @myaccessbank, it said: “We have received numerous inquiries concerning an airplane crash in the USA.

    “Presently, we lack specific information; however, we are actively collaborating with US authorities who will furnish updates.

    Read Also: Access Bank CEO Wigwe, wife, son die in helicopter crash

    “Your understanding and support are valued, and we commit to keeping you informed promptly as we receive updates on the situation.”

    In confirming the crash earlier, the US Federal Aviation Administration did not disclose the identities of the six people said to be onboard.

    The message on its website read: “A Eurocopter EC 130 helicopter crashed near Nipton, California, around 10 pm local time on Friday, February 9. Six people were on board.”

  • CAS orders probe into helicopter crash at Port Harcourt

    CAS orders probe into helicopter crash at Port Harcourt

    The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshall Hassan Abubakar, has ordered immediate investigations into the immediate and remote causes of last week’s crash of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopter in River State.

    The CAS said the outcome of the investigation would enable the NAF to “learn exactly what happened and prevent future occurrences”. 

    Abubakar announced this when he visited the five surviving crew members of the crash at NAF’s Medical Centre in Port Harcourt, the River State capital.

    A NAF MI-35P attack helicopter crashed in Port Harcourt on December 1 while on an operation against oil thieves.

    The five crew members, who were part of troops of 115 Special Operations Group (115 SOG) onboard the aircraft, survived with “very minor injuries”.

    In a statement by NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, Air Marshal Abubakar hailed the crew members for the professional manner they handled the emergency situation they found themselves in. 

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    “Your actions were commendable and a decisive factor in mitigating the extent of damage to public property and loss of lives,” he said.

    Abubakar said the 115 SOG had been well known for its gallantry and fighting spirit, adding that the presence of the MI-35P helicopters on the battlefield had been a game changer. 

    The CAS said the helicopters had, over the years, continued to cause fear in the hearts of terrorists and other criminals while also boosting the morale of surface forces. 

    He urged the injured crew members to see the accident as an opportunity for a resilient comeback and to channel efforts towards thwarting the activities of oil thieves. 

    Abubakar urged NAF personnel to see air accidents as impetus to propel them towards seeking improved safety management measures and remaining focused on tackling the myriads of security threats facing the nation. 

    He said: “Times like these are a sad reminder of the inherent risks in military aviation, especially when flying activities, occasioned by our current security challenges, have tremendously increased. 

    “As we continue to fly intensively, incidents are bound to occur. Nevertheless, we must continue to ensure that we minimise the risk factors as reasonably practicable.

    “You must, therefore, never be discouraged as the hopes of millions of Nigerians rest on our shoulders. 

    “The realisation of these aspirations hinges on our ability to combat all forms of criminality that threaten our peace and stability.”

    Abubakar extended President Bola Tinubu’s appreciation to the crew members for their sacrifices.

    He assured them that the government and the NAF took their welfare and other needs seriously so that they could effectively carry out their assigned duties.