Crude theft: NAF destroys 131 illegal refineries, others in 2025 

The Air Component of Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), said its operations against crude oil theft led to the destruction over 131 illegal refining sites and destroyed several crude oil theft facilities across the Niger Delta in 2025.

The Commander, 115 Special Operations Group, Port Harcourt, Group Captain Abdulafeez Opaleye, who made this known, said the feat has drastically degraded the operations of oil thieves and economic saboteurs in the Niger delta region.

Opaleye, said this while briefing defence correspondents on a Media tour of the Air Component of OPDS and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) 115 Special Operations Group, led by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, in Port Harcourt.

The commander, that said the air unit conducted 495 missions in 779 sorties, logging over 784 flight hours in support of joint operations. He said that sustained air operations had reshaped the theatre of operations, thus denying  criminals freedom of action and enabled ground and maritime forces to exploit operational gains, contributing to improved crude oil production and national revenue.

According to him, the Air Component air assets deployed during the period included T-129 ATAK attack helicopters, EC-135 helicopters, Diamond-62 aircraft and Wing Loong II Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs), played critical roles in intelligence gathering, interdiction and combat support.

While noting that extensive Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions led to the detection of illegal refining camps, pipeline vandalism points and storage facilities hidden deep within creeks and communities, the commander said “Footages obtained were analysed and fused with intelligence from other security agencies to generate actionable targets.

He said “Upon confirmation, the Air Component carried out air interdiction missions that resulted in the destruction of illegal installations, boats, reservoirs and storage tanks containing stolen petroleum products,”.

Continuing, he said that In addition to the 131 illegal refining sites destroyed, the Air Component destroyed 36 wooden boats, 23 reservoirs and dugout pits, as well as 125 storage tanks used for storing illegally refined products.

The operations, according to him created significant psychological pressure on criminal networks, forcing many operators to abandon their camps and deterring the re-establishment of destroyed sites.

While noting that criminals have resorted to siphoned crude oil through hoses running several kilometres from pipelines to concealed locations,

The Air Component commander assured that joint air, land and maritime operations under Operation DELTA SAFE would be sustained to further curb militancy, sea robbery, crude oil theft and other criminal activities in the region.

While noting that kinetic operations remained critical in fight against crude theft, Opaleye, said community engagement was key to sustaining gains, and called on host communities to see the Armed Forces as partners in progress, not as enemies.

He said “Our mission is to protect national assets and create conditions for economic growth. When oil production improves, the entire nation benefits,”.

In his address, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, who commending the Air Component for its operational successes and resilience, described the media as a critical partner in national security and solicited to their continued support.

Gen. Onoja who called for a stronger civil-military relations and effective strategic communication, pointed out that accurate reporting of military operations would enhance public confidence and national cohesion.

He reiterated that security remained a collective responsibility, calling on all Nigerians to support ongoing efforts to secure the Niger Delta and protect critical oil and gas infrastructure.