The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has significantly escalated its air operations in the Niger Delta region, achieving notable success in combating crude oil theft and protecting critical national oil infrastructure, according to a statement released by NAF headquarters.

Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, revealed that the 115 Special Operations Group (115 SOG), which hosts the Air Component of Operation DELTA SAFE (OPDS), has been instrumental in dismantling illegal refining operations and disrupting criminal networks across the oil-rich region.

"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," Ejodame stated. These operations covered key oil-producing states including Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River.

The intensified campaign has yielded substantial results, with airstrikes destroying more than 100 illegal refining sites, 53 boats, 74 cooking tanks, 2 reservoirs, and numerous transport vehicles used by oil thieves. These strategic strikes have significantly degraded the operational capacity of criminals operating along critical corridors such as Buguma, Imo River, Port Harcourt, Okrika, Egbema/Ohaji, and the Trans Niger Pipeline Right of Way.

According to NAF, these operations align with broader national efforts to curb militancy in the region, halt environmental degradation caused by illegal refining activities, and safeguard Nigeria's strategic oil and gas infrastructure, which remains the backbone of the nation's economy.

The Nigerian Air Force's sustained operations in the Niger Delta represent a critical component of the government's strategy to secure vital revenue streams and protect national assets from criminal exploitation. As oil remains Nigeria's primary export and revenue source, these security measures are essential for the country's economic stability and development.