Nigerian Air Force Operations Boost Oil Output in Niger Delta
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reported a significant increase in the country’s oil output following sustained air strikes on illegal refineries in the Niger Delta region. According to the Commander of the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe, Group Capt. Abdulafeez Opaleye, the daily sorties have successfully disrupted oil theft networks across seven states in the region.
The NAF’s operations, which were carried out between May and August, involved intensive surveillance, armed reconnaissance, and pipeline patrol missions. These efforts resulted in the neutralization of 12 criminals, the arrest of six suspects, and the destruction of illegal refining camps, cooking tanks, and reservoirs. The operations covered Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River states.
The air strikes have had a direct impact on Nigeria’s oil production, with the total output averaging 1.71 million barrels per day in July 2025, including condensates. Crude oil production alone stood at 1.51 million barrels per day. The Chief of Training and Operations, NAF, AVM Francis Edosa, attributed the increase in oil output to the success of the air operations, which have degraded the capacity of criminal groups and reinforced deterrence.
The NAF’s efforts have also resulted in the destruction of 25 cooking tanks, 11 reservoirs, and three drums used in illegal refining. The operations consumed over 60,000 liters of Jet A-1 fuel and involved 117 missions, 189 sorties, and 192 flight hours from May to July. The NAF has reiterated its commitment to sustaining the tempo of its operations to stabilize the Niger Delta, safeguard oil revenues, and ensure the country’s skies remain safe for legitimate operators.
The increase in oil output is a significant development for Nigeria, which has struggled with oil theft and sabotage in the past. The NAF’s operations demonstrate the effectiveness of intelligence-driven air operations in delivering both security and economic benefits. As the country continues to grapple with the challenges of oil theft and instability in the Niger Delta, the success of the NAF’s operations provides a positive outlook for the future of Nigeria’s oil industry.
