The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says its ongoing aerial operations in the Niger Delta have dealt a major blow to oil thieves, dismantling over 100 illegal refining sites and crippling criminal supply lines.
In a statement issued on Sunday, May 25, NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the operations were carried out by personnel from the 115 Special Operations Group, which hosts the Air Component of Operation DELTA SAFE.
“NAF has intensified air operations in the Niger Delta, recording significant successes in the ongoing fight against crude oil theft and the protection of vital national assets,” he said.
“Through its 115 SOG, which hosts the Air Component of Operation DELTA SAFE, NAF has maintained a high tempo of aerial missions across the region, dismantling illegal refining sites and disrupting the logistics of criminal networks.”
According to Ejodame, the air component flew over 173 missions and 265 sorties between January and May 2025, logging roughly 270 flying hours in operations across Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River states.
“During these operations, airstrikes destroyed more than 100 illegal refining sites, 53 boats, 74 cooking tanks, 2 reservoirs, and several transport vehicles,” he stated.
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He said the strikes have significantly weakened the operations of oil vandals and thieves in critical locations such as Buguma, Imo River, Port Harcourt, Okrika, Egbema/Ohaji, and the Trans Niger Pipeline corridor.
“These actions significantly degraded the capacity of oil thieves and vandals operating along critical corridors such as Buguma, Imo River, Port Harcourt, Okrika, Egbema/Ohaji, and the Trans Niger Pipeline Right of Way,” he noted.
“The operations are aligned with national efforts to curb militancy, stop environmental degradation caused by illegal refining, and protect strategic oil and gas infrastructure, the backbone of Nigeria’s economy.”
Ejodame added that the Air Force would continue both non-kinetic and kinetic measures to eliminate entrenched criminal networks.
While reinforcing civil-military relations and community development in the region, the Air Force stressed that force remains essential to uprooting criminal activity.
“These sustained air operations underscore NAF’s commitment to national security and economic stability by ensuring that Nigeria’s oil heartland remains secure and productive,” he concluded.