President Muhammadu Buhari has handed over two aircrafts from the presidential fleet to the Nigerian Air Force.

The handover took place on Monday at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

According to the Presidency Office of Digital Engagement, the two helicopters, both AgustaWestland AW101 models, were acquired by the federal government on October 20, 2014 and May 21, 2015 respectively.

Reports have it that the two aircrafts possess Ballistics defence capabilities and are equipped against certain forms of missile attacks.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Chief of Air Staff, Sadique Abubakar said:  “It is with a big sense of appreciation that I accept these helicopters into the Air Force.”

He added that “One of the helicopters will be configured and deployed as an Air Ambulance, while the second will be deployed as a Troop Carrier.

“The two Helicopters will be immediately reconfigured and deployed to the Northeast for the use of Nigerian troops,” he stated.

Recall that that the Presidency had advertised two other planes from the presidential fleet – “a Falcon 7x executive jet and Hawker4000” for sale.

Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu said that the advert for the two aircraft were duly authorized by the Presidency in fulfillment of his campaign promises to cut down on economic wastages.

“When he campaigned to be President, the then APC candidate, Buhari if you recall, promised to look at the presidential air fleet with a view to cutting down on waste,” Shehu had said.

He added that “I am sure the Commander of the Presidential air fleet will, any time from now, call you to a ceremony at which he will hand over some other aircraft to the Airforce for their operations.