In June 2024, the Nigerian Army, led by Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, announced the acquisition of two Bell UH-1H “Huey” helicopters. These aircraft were formally presented at a ceremony at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and were registered as NA 010 and NA 011.
Following the event, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Army spokesman, issued a statement asserting that the helicopters were newly acquired. “The Nigerian Army has taken a significant step in boosting its operational strength with the arrival of the first batch of new aircraft,” he claimed. “The arrival of these helicopters marks a notable advancement for Nigerian Army Aviation in providing aerial support for ground operations.” He highlighted that the aircraft had been formally received by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Lagbaja.
Additionally, in a video shared by SaharaReporters, Brigadier General Musa Alkali, Coordinator of Nigerian Army Aviation, praised the arrival of the helicopters, saying it demonstrated the army’s enhanced operational capacity and readiness to tackle security challenges swiftly and effectively.
However, a detailed investigation by SaharaReporters revealed that these helicopters were far from new. Previously used for firefighting in South Africa, the helicopters had been operational for many years before being abandoned. Specifically, NA 011 was formerly registered as ZT-RAI, while NA 010 held the previous registration ZT-RCS.
Both helicopters were ultimately purchased and refurbished by Nigerian Army officials. A May 21, 2024, listing on avcom.co.za showed that the aircraft were put up for sale earlier in the year. According to SA Flyer, an African aviation magazine, the helicopters—painted in olive drab—were once used for firefighting. The magazine also reported that Nigerian Army helicopter pilots received training at Henley Air, which operates in South Africa, before the aircraft were delivered to Nigeria.
In an August 2024 report, SA Flyer confirmed that the helicopters arrived at the Nigerian Army Aviation Airwing in Abuja with serial numbers NA 010 and NA 011. Defensehere.com revealed that NA 010, originally manufactured in 1968, was used by the US Army before entering the civilian market. It was then brought to South Africa in 2014 by Northwest Helicopters. NA 011, produced in 1966, served the US Army until 1996, later operating in California under Helinet Corp. It also reached South Africa in 2015 through Northwest Helicopters and Turbines LLC.
Efforts to contact Major General Onyema Nwachukwu for comments on this matter were unsuccessful, as calls to his line went unanswered, and messages had yet to receive a response at the time of filing this report.
For more updates, join our [WhatsApp channel](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VabITrvEAKW7DSk