Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has officially handed over an AW139 helicopter to the Nigerian Air Force to enhance security operations in Rivers State and the Niger Delta region at large.
Speaking during the handover ceremony at the Air Force Base in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Governor Fubara urged the Nigerian Air Force to put the AW139 helicopter, which had been grounded since 2020, to effective use in securing lives, assets, and oil facilities in the Niger Delta region.
Governor Fubara expressed concerns over past security donations that were not utilized in the locations where they were donated.
The governor emphasized that the donation was not politically motivated but a genuine commitment to enhancing security.
He reiterated the state government’s responsibility to support law enforcement agencies with the necessary logistics for effective operations, including the Air Force, Police, and other security agencies.
“Our only request is that this helicopter be used primarily for the security of Rivers State and the entire Niger Delta. We are not giving this in exchange for anything but in support of the President’s efforts to improve security in the country.”
In response, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, expressed deep appreciation for the governor’s continuous support, acknowledging that strengthening civil-military relations remains a top priority for the Nigerian Air Force, as it directly improves operational effectiveness.
Air Marshal Abubakar highlighted that the AW139 helicopter would significantly boost air operations, particularly in search and rescue missions, disaster response, and rapid deployment for security and humanitarian activities.
He further disclosed that the Air Force has already commenced specialized training for pilots and engineers while also reinforcing maintenance structures to ensure the helicopter remains in optimal working condition for long-term use.
He said, “This donation is not just an addition to our fleet but a bold statement of commitment to security.
“It will aid in tactical airlift, search and rescue, and humanitarian operations.”