The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reported significant achievements in its Operation Delta Safe, successfully dismantling over 70 illegal refining sites and 80 overhead tanks in the past three months. This announcement came from the Chief of Air Staff, who emphasized the necessity of these operations in combating the rampant issues of oil theft and pipeline vandalism that have severely impacted the country’s crude oil production and revenue.
During a recent meeting with security experts, the Chief of Air Staff highlighted the negative repercussions these illegal activities have on the environment, leading to air pollution and waterway contamination that endangers aquatic life and agriculture. He reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to eradicating oil theft and vandalism in the Niger Delta, aiming to restore and enhance oil production levels.
In the past year alone, the NAF has conducted an impressive 463 sorties, accumulating 560 flight hours and utilizing 175,000 liters of Jet A-1 fuel for air operations in the Niger Delta. The introduction of newly inducted platforms is expected to further strengthen these efforts, allowing for a more extensive coverage and collaboration with other security agencies to counter criminal activities in the region.
The Chief of Air Staff expressed confidence in the military team’s ability to cooperate effectively in tackling crude oil theft, marking the visit as a critical step toward enhancing Nigeria’s oil infrastructure security. This initiative is anticipated to contribute positively to both the national defense and the broader environmental and economic landscape affected by oil theft.
