Recovers over 589,000 litres of stolen products
In a decisive campaign against oil theft and pipeline vandalism, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has neutralised more than 100 illegal refinery sites and significantly disrupted criminal operations in the Niger Delta over the past five months.
 
According to the Director of Public Relations and Information of NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, intensified air operations conducted by the 115 Special Operations Group (115 SOG), which hosts the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), achieved remarkable successes between January and May 2025.
 
During this period, the Air Component flew 173 missions and 265 sorties, amassing approximately 270 flight hours. These aerial efforts targeted oil-producing states, including Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River.
 
“Through sustained aerial surveillance and precision strikes, NAF aircraft destroyed more than 100 illegal refining sites, 53 boats, 74 cooking tanks, two crude oil reservoirs, and several transport vehicles,” Ejodame stated.
 
These operations effectively degraded the logistics and operational capacities of oil thieves across strategic corridors, including Buguma, Imo River, Port Harcourt, Okrika, Egbema/Ohaji, and the Trans Niger Pipeline Right of Way.

ALSO, the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division, in collaboration with other security agencies, has recorded significant successes in its ongoing anti-Crude Oil Theft (COT) operations in the Niger Delta Region.
 
Between May 19 and 25, 2025, troops successfully dismantled 19 illegal refining sites and apprehended 20 suspected oil thieves. 
 
According to the Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, over 589,000 litres of stolen products, including Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) and crude oil, were recovered during the operations.

The operations were conducted in various locations, including Okolomade, Orashi, and Ozochi Forests in Abua/Odual and Ndoni in Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema local councils.
 
According to him, in Delta State, troops uncovered an illegal refining site at Jeddo in Okpe LGA, where over 1,000 litres of stolen products stored in polythene bags were recovered. 
 
Likewise, at Ogbu Aladja in Warri South Council, troops deactivated a number of illegal refining sites with several sacks filled with unquantified illegally refined AGO recovered.