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Insecurity: Nigeria moves to acquire 34 fighter jets, helicopters from Italy
Insecurity: Nigeria moves to acquire 34 fighter jets, helicopters from Italy
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has led a team of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) experts to acquire fighter jets and helicopters from Messrs Leonardo S.p.A in Italy.
Members of the delegation include officials from the Ministries of Defence and Finance, to finalise acquisition of fighter jets and helicopters from Messrs Leonardo S.p.A in Italy.
The platforms include 24 M-346 Fighter Ground Attack (FGA) jets and an additional 10 AW-109 Trekker helicopters.
This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, on Sunday in Abuja.
Akinboyewa said that two AW-109 Trekker helicopters had already been acquired by NAF.
He said that the CAS made a strategic stopover at the Leonardo Headquarters in Rome, where he engaged with top executives to consolidate a long-term partnership between the NAF and the company.
According to him, Abubakar also inspected the first batch of 6 M-346 jets, noting that 3 are nearing completion, and evaluated key support systems required to boost the NAF’s operational readiness.
“In the Review Meeting, the CAS received updates on the delivery schedules, confirming that the first three units of 24 M-346 aircraft to be built for Nigeria are expected by early 2025, with subsequent deliveries running until mid-2026.
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“Meanwhile, with 2 Trekkers already acquired, the additional 10 are expected by early 2026.
“The CAS recommended the establishment of a Programme Management Office to oversee the collaboration and ensure smooth project implementation.
“He also stressed the need for a maintenance hub in Nigeria to provide long-term support, especially for the M-346 fleet,” Akinboyewa said.
The NAF spokesman said that the firm’s Aircraft Division put on an aerial display to showcase the performance of the M-346 and highlight its advanced features as part of the visit.
According to him, capable of both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, the M-346 will significantly strengthen Nigeria’s air combat capabilities.
“On its part, the AW-109 will bolster combat support roles such as Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), tactical airlift and Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) amongst others.
“The M-346 and Trekker acquisitions are key steps towards fleet renewal, in consonance with the CAS Command Philosophy.
“His philosophy is to transform the NAF for greater agility and resilience, with emphasis on the optimisation of force structure and establishment for enhanced operational effectiveness,” he added.
Insecurity: Nigeria moves to acquire 34 fighter jets, helicopters from Italy
(NAN)
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Tanker explosion claims 90 lives in Jigawa – Police
Tanker explosion claims 90 lives in Jigawa – Police
No fewer than 90 people were confirmed dead, following a petrol tanker explosion in Majiya Town, Taura Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday.
Mr Shi’isu Adam, the Police Spokesperson in Jigawa, confirmed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday.
He also said that 50 other persons had been hospitalised for varying degrees of injury due to the explosion.
”At about 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Majia Town, Taura local government area of Jigawa, the tanker driver lost control near Khadija University and it exploded.
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“The driver left Kano and was heading to Nguru in Yobe. when the accident happened,” Adam said.
He said: ” We are worried that in spite of police warning for people to steer clear from scenes of accidents involving fuel tankers, they still engage in such acts.
”People gathered around the accident scene, that is the reason for the mass casualty,” he said
The spokesperson said that a mass burial of the victims would hold by 9 a.m. on Wednesday.
He added that the injured were receiving medical attention at the Ringim General Hospital.
Tanker explosion claims 90 lives in Jigawa – Police
metro
Guidelines Violation: TikTok removes 2.1 million videos in Nigeria
Guidelines Violation: TikTok removes 2.1 million videos in Nigeria
TikTok has removed more than 2.1 million videos in Nigeria during the second quarter of 2024 for breaching its community guidelines, the company revealed in its latest Community Guidelines Enforcement Report.
The removed videos account for less than 1% of total uploads in Nigeria during the period.
The report, released on Tuesday, highlighted TikTok’s proactive content moderation efforts, with 99.1% of the videos being taken down before users reported them, and 90.7% removed within 24 hours.
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TikTok reaffirmed its commitment to creating a safer platform for Nigerian users, noting its continued investment in advanced technologies to enhance content moderation and mitigate risks.
Globally, TikTok removed over 178 million videos in June 2024, with 144 million of these flagged by automated systems.
The company boasted a 98.2% proactive detection rate worldwide, underscoring its efficiency in addressing harmful content before users encounter it.
Guidelines Violation: TikTok removes 2.1 million videos in Nigeria
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Libya’s highest authority ordered me to divert Super Eagles flight, says pilot
Libya’s highest authority ordered me to divert Super Eagles flight, says pilot
Tunisian pilot who recently flew the Super Eagles of Nigeria to Libya
The Tunisian pilot who flew the Super Eagles of Nigeria to Libya has spoken out about the controversy surrounding the flight diversion.
In a now-viral video, the pilot said the original plan was to land in Benina, a town in the Benghazi area of Libya, with prior approval from the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority.
He said, however, upon beginning their descent, he was instructed to divert to Al-Abraq, which was not listed as an alternate airport.
The Tunisian man said he was told the order for flight diversion came from “Libya’s highest authorities”.
He said he repeatedly questioned the flight diversion order due to the limitation of aviation fuel but was “ignored by Libyan aviation authorities”.
“The flight plan was to land in Benghazi, Benina, and we had approval from the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority,” the pilot said.
“However, as we began our descent, we were instructed to divert to Al-Abraq, which wasn’t even listed as our alternate airport.
“This decision came from the highest authorities, not me. In aviation, we calculate fuel based on our destination. Diverting unexpectedly can compromise safety.
“Everything is documented. I asked to land in Benghazi as per my flight plan, but they denied it, instructing me to divert immediately.
“I repeatedly questioned the directive and warned them about fuel limitations, but they insisted that we land in Al-Abraq, citing orders from the highest authority.”
The Tunisian pilot who flew the Super Eagles to Libya explained what really happened.
— YabaLeftOnline (@yabaleftonline) October 15, 2024
BACKGROUND
The Super Eagles’ flight landed at the Al Abaq airport for the second leg of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Libya.
The match was scheduled for Tuesday at the Martyrs of February Stadium in Benina, Benghazi.
However, the Super Eagles players and coaches were held at the Al Abaq airport for over 20 hours without food and drinks.
On Monday morning, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced the Super Eagles’ withdrawal from the qualifying match and asked them to return home. The Nigerian team then arrived in Kano from Libya.
Reacting to the situation, the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) said the flight diversion experienced by the Nigerian national team was not “intentional”.
The LFF rejected claims of “foul play or sabotage” and argued that their team faced a similar situation in Nigeria.
Reacting, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said it is investigating the “disturbing” incident.
Libya’s highest authority ordered me to divert Super Eagles flight, says pilot
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