Nigeria’s military air operations have dealt a significant blow to illegal oil refining and crude theft in the Niger Delta, with 131 illicit refining sites destroyed and dozens of related facilities dismantled in 2025.
The achievements were outlined during a briefing in Port Harcourt on the performance of the Air Component of Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe and the Nigerian Air Force’s 115 Special Operations Group. The briefing was presented by Flight Lieutenant Aro as part of a media tour led by Major General Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations.
Military officials revealed that the Air Component carried out 495 missions in 779 sorties, accumulating over 784 flying hours in support of joint security operations across the region. These sustained air efforts were credited with limiting the freedom of action of criminal groups and enabling ground and maritime forces to secure key operational successes.
The briefing stated that the operations had helped stabilise the oil-producing region, contributing to improved crude oil output and increased government revenue. Aircraft deployed included T-129 ATAK attack helicopters, EC-135 helicopters, Diamond-62 surveillance aircraft and Wing Loong II unmanned combat aerial vehicles.
Through extensive intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities, air crews detected illegal refining camps, pipeline vandalism points and concealed storage facilities located deep within creeks and communities. Video footage gathered during these missions was analysed and combined with intelligence from other security agencies to identify verified targets.
Subsequent air strikes destroyed illegal refining installations, boats and storage infrastructure containing stolen petroleum products. In addition to the 131 refining sites, 36 wooden boats were neutralised, 23 reservoirs and dugout pits destroyed, and 125 storage tanks eliminated.
Military authorities said the operations created intense psychological pressure on criminal networks, forcing many operators to abandon their camps and discouraging renewed illegal activity.
Group Captain Abdulafeez Opaleye, Commander of the 115 Special Operations Group in Port Harcourt, said oil theft tactics had become more complex, with criminals using long hoses to siphon crude oil from pipelines to hidden locations. He emphasised that community cooperation was essential to sustaining security gains.
“Our role is to protect national assets and create an environment for economic growth,” he said, adding that increased oil production benefited the entire country.
Major General Onoja commended the Air Component’s performance and underscored the importance of the media in strengthening national security through accurate and responsible reporting. He called for enhanced civil-military relations and collective support to safeguard critical oil and gas infrastructure.
The Air Component confirmed that joint operations under Operation Delta Safe would continue, with a focus on suppressing militancy, sea robbery and crude oil theft throughout the Niger Delta.
