NAF destroys over 100 illegal refineries in five months

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) claims to have destroyed more than 100 illegal refining sites in the Niger delta in the first five months of 2025 as part of the current efforts to combat the theft of crude oil and environmental degradation.

This was revealed by the Director of Public Relations and Information, the Air Commodor Edward Ehimen Ejodame, in a declaration issued on Sunday in Abuja.

According to Ejodame, the aerial component of the Delta Safe operation performed no less than 173 missions and 265 sorties, accumulating over 270 hours of flight between January and supporting joint and independent military operations in the oil producers.

In addition to the destruction of illegal refining sites, the Air attacks of the NAF also neutralized 53 boats, 74 cooking tanks, two water basins and several transport vehicles used by oil thieves and pipeline vandals.

“These actions have significantly degraded the ability of thieves and oil vandals along critical corridors such as Buguma, IMO River, Port Harcurt, Okrika, Egbema/Ohaji and the Pipeline Trans Niger on the right,” he said.

Ejodame explained that air operations are aligned with the wider strategy of the federal government to curb the militancy, stop the environmental pollution caused by illegal refining and safeguard the oil and vital gas infrastructures, considered as the backbone of the national economy.

He observed that the 115 Special Operations Group (115 Sog), which houses the aerial component in the region, has maintained a high operational rhythm, continually interrupting the logistics of the criminal networks.

While reaffirming NAF’s commitment to civil-military cooperation and regional development, Ejodame stressed that the kinetic approach remains crucial to dismantle criminal unions rooted in the region rich in oil.

“These operations supported reflect the unwavering commitment of the Air Force for national security and economic stability, ensuring that the oil heart of Nigeria remains protected and productive”, added the declaration.

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