In the past three months, Operation Delta Safe by the Nigerian Air Force has successfully targeted and eliminated more than 70 illegal refining sites along with 80 overhead tanks.
During a meeting held at the NAF headquarters in Abuja, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, the Chief of Air Staff, discussed these accomplishments while hosting the National Coordinator, Maj. Gen. Jamil Sarham (retd.) and the team from New Guard Security and Consulting Limited.
AVM Edward Gabkwet, the Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF, disclosed this information in a statement released on Wednesday.
Abubakar emphasized that the rampant issue of oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the region has significantly impacted Nigeria’s crude oil production, causing substantial revenue losses for the nation.
He also highlighted the environmental consequences of these illicit activities, including air pollution and waterway contamination that adversely affect aquatic life and agriculture.
The armed forces have been tasked with eradicating the menace of oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region to boost oil production levels in response to these challenges.
Over the past year, NAF has conducted 463 sorties totaling 560 flight hours and utilized 175,000 liters of Jet A-1 fuel for aerial operations in the Niger Delta area.
To enhance these efforts, new aircraft have been deployed to the region and beyond, enabling NAF to expand its reach and collaborate with other security agencies to combat criminal activities in the region.
The Chief of Air Staff commended the team’s military expertise, expressing confidence in their partnership with other security entities to tackle the challenges posed by crude oil theft.
He viewed the visit as a significant milestone towards fostering greater cooperation and synergy between NAF and the security firm, with the potential to positively impact Nigeria’s national defense and security.
Abubakar emphasized that the visit represented a crucial step in enhancing the protection of Nigeria’s oil infrastructure and addressing the economic and environmental repercussions of oil theft.