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Over a rigorous five-month period, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) executed a highly successful operation targeting illegal oil refining activities within the volatile Niger Delta region.
During this intensive campaign, NAF aircraft managed to destroy more than 100 illegal refining sites, 53 boats used in illicit oil transportation, 74 cooking tanks employed in crude oil processing, and a significant number of transport vehicles utilized by oil thieves. These coordinated efforts represent a substantial blow to the illegal oil economy that has long plagued the Niger Delta.
This impressive achievement was realized through a total of 173 missions and 265 sorties, amassing approximately 270 flying hours dedicated to supporting Operation Delta Safe—an ongoing initiative aimed at stabilizing the region and securing its vital oil infrastructure.
The high frequency and intensity of these sorties underscore the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to sustaining pressure on illegal operations that undermine the country’s economic security.
Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the official spokesman for the Nigerian Air Force, made this announcement in a detailed statement released on Sunday. He highlighted that the operations were conducted in collaboration with other branches of the military and involved both joint and independent air strikes.
These actions were strategically focused along critical oil-producing states in the Niger Delta, including Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River states, which are known hotspots for illegal refining and related criminal activities.
According to Air Commodore Ejodame, the air strikes have effectively degraded the operational capabilities of oil thieves and vandals who operate in key corridors notorious for illegal activities.
These include areas such as Buguma, Imo River, Port Harcourt, Okrika, Egbema/Ohaji, and the Trans Niger Pipeline Right of Way. By targeting these critical points, the Nigerian Air Force has dealt a significant setback to criminal networks that have for years exploited the region’s resources, causing extensive environmental damage and economic losses.
Ejodame further emphasized that the operations are part of a broader national strategy designed not only to combat militancy but also to mitigate the environmental degradation caused by illegal refining processes.
These activities have severely damaged the Niger Delta’s fragile ecosystem, threatening biodiversity and the livelihoods of local communities. Protecting Nigeria’s strategic oil and gas infrastructure, which forms the backbone of the country’s economy, remains a top priority in these military endeavors.
In addition to kinetic military actions, the Nigerian Air Force assured continued collaboration with civilian authorities and local communities in the region. This includes efforts toward community development and fostering civil-military relations, which are essential to long-term stability.
The NAF recognizes that dismantling entrenched criminal networks requires more than just military might—it necessitates engagement with local populations to address the root causes of illegal refining and militancy.
The statement concluded with a firm commitment from the Nigerian Air Force to sustain its operational tempo and expand its role in safeguarding Nigeria’s oil-producing regions. The NAF remains dedicated to supporting national security objectives, protecting economic assets, and contributing to the peaceful development of the Niger Delta.