Between January and May, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) destroyed more than 100 illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta through airstrikes conducted by the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe.
NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, announced this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
Ejodame revealed that NAF pilots carried out over 173 missions and 265 sorties, logging approximately 270 flying hours in support of joint military operations and independent airstrikes across major oil-producing states.
The airstrikes also eliminated 53 boats, 74 cooking tanks, two reservoirs, and several transport vehicles. These actions, according to Ejodame, severely disrupted the operations of oil thieves and vandals along critical corridors such as Buguma, Imo River, Port Harcourt, Okrika, Egbema/Ohaji, and the Trans Niger Pipeline Right of Way.
“These operations directly support national efforts to combat militancy, prevent environmental damage from illegal refining, and protect vital oil and gas infrastructure—the lifeline of Nigeria’s economy,” Ejodame said.
He noted that the NAF has intensified air operations in the Niger Delta, achieving significant results in the battle against crude oil theft and in safeguarding strategic national assets.
The NAF’s 115 Special Operations Group (115 SOG), which leads the air component, has sustained a high tempo of aerial missions across the region, targeting and dismantling illegal refining sites while disrupting the logistics of criminal networks.
“While the NAF continues to foster civil-military cooperation and support community development in the region, its kinetic operations remain crucial to eliminating entrenched criminal elements,” Ejodame added.
He emphasized that the continued air operations reflect NAF’s commitment to national security and economic stability by securing Nigeria’s vital oil-producing region.
