Claim: An X (formerly Twitter) user, @abdullahayofel, claimed that Nigeria is awaiting the delivery of 12 Chinook (Kawasaki) helicopters ordered from Saudi Arabia. Verdict: False Full Story Nigeria has faced long-running and multifaceted security challenges for more than a decade, including insurgency by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), alongside banditry
Claim: An X (formerly Twitter) user, @abdullahayofel, claimed that Nigeria is awaiting the delivery of 12 Chinook (Kawasaki) helicopters ordered from Saudi Arabia.
Verdict: False
Full Story
Nigeria has faced long-running and multifaceted security challenges for more than a decade, including insurgency by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), alongside banditry and other internal security threats.
These challenges have exposed gaps in the Nigerian military’s ability to project airpower, conduct rapid-response logistics, and provide close air support, particularly due to an ageing helicopter fleet inherited from previous decades.
In response, Nigeria has embarked on a strategic drive to modernise its air assets by sourcing aircraft from multiple international partners.
In early 2024, the U.S. Defence Security Cooperation Agency confirmed the sale of 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters to Nigeria as part of a broader defence cooperation deal.
Nigeria has signed contracts with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) for T129 ATAK attack helicopters. At least four to six units have been delivered, with training and support linked to these acquisitions.
Nigeria has also placed orders for Italian AW-109 light/utility helicopters, including additional units beyond earlier deliveries, and is nearing the finalisation of a broader aircraft procurement package.
These ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s air capabilities have contributed to an increase in defence-related information circulating in the public space.
One of these is the recent social media post shared here, claiming that Nigeria is awaiting the delivery of 12 Chinook Kawasaki helicopters ordered from Saudi Arabia.
This post by @abdullahayofel, shared on January 14, 2026, has generated 45.5k views, 676 likes, and has been reshared by 156 users. Variations of the same claim were also found on other social media platforms here, here, and here
See the screenshot of the post below:
The claim triggered mixed reactions: Faruwa Francis, @faruwafrancis 1, expressed optimism, stating that sustained investments like this would have strengthened the military earlier. Bamidele Omom Badmos, @jamiubamidele, praised the Tinubu administration, suggesting the troops were being adequately equipped.
Others were sceptical. Poseidon, @josephimol, dismissed the claim as false, noting that even previously ordered aircraft were yet to be delivered. Keen observer @OG_commenter questioned the credibility of the claim, arguing that Saudi Arabia does not manufacture Chinook helicopters and suggesting that, if the aircraft were real, they would likely be retired units.
These reactions motivated the NDRFactCheck to verify the claim.
Verification
NDRFactCheck reviewed information from official and credible defence procurement sources, including the U.S. Defence Security Cooperation Agency, which in 2022 confirmed a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Nigeria involving AH-1Z attack helicopters and related equipment valued at approximately $997 million.
Further checks of the IPIS Arms Trade Bulletin (2022), show that Nigeria has entered arms deals with: South Africa (ALTI Transition UAVs), France (Elistair Orion systems), and China (including AR-500B unmanned helicopters).
Reports reviewed by NDRFactCheck also confirm arms and defence cooperation between Nigeria and Pakistan, China, and Russia, as well as procurement relationships with Italy and the United Kingdom, according to DefenceWeb and other reputable defence publications.
Crucially, no official records, government statements, or credible defence databases reviewed by NDRFactCheck indicate that Saudi Arabia is a military defence equipment supplier to Nigeria.
Additionally, Saudi Arabia does not manufacture CH-47 Chinook helicopters, which are produced by Boeing (USA). Kawasaki Heavy Industries, which has produced licensed Chinook variants, is a Japanese company with no known helicopter production partnership involving Saudi Arabia.
Conclusion
NDRFactCheck found no evidence from major news outlets, official Nigerian government releases, or defence ministry statements confirming that Nigeria ordered or is awaiting the delivery of 12 Chinook (Kawasaki) helicopters from Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia operates imported Chinook helicopters but does not produce them, nor is it confirmed as an arms supplier to Nigeria.
Hence, the claim is false.
