No mercy as NAF airstrikes destroy 100 illegal refineries in Niger Delta

The Nigerian Air Force on Sunday says its personnel destroyed more than 100 illegal refineries in  the Niger Delta.

It said its personnel operated through its 115 Special Operations Group, which hosts the Air Component of Operation DELTA SAFE. It said they conducted over 173 missions and 265 sorties, logging approximately 270 hours of flying time between January and May 2025.

It said the operations took place  across Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River states.

According to a statement by NAF spokesman, Air Commodore, Ehimen Ejodame, the air operations destroyed more than 100 illegal refining sites, 53 boats, 74 cooking tanks, two reservoirs, and numerous transport vehicles used by criminal cartels.

” 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. 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.

“Between January and May 2025, the Air Component of OPDS executed over 173 missions and 265 sorties, accumulating approximately 270 flying hours in support of joint military operations and independent strikes across key oil-producing states including Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River.

“During these operations, airstrikes destroyed more than 100 illegal refining sites, 53 boats, 74 cooking tanks, 2 reservoirs, and several transport vehicles.”

“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. 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.”