Commander, 115 Special Operations Group (SOG) and the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), Group Captain Abdulhafeez Opaleye has said that the super air power of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) is the pivotal game-changer in the oil-rich Niger Delta military operations.
To that extent, he said NAF which recently marked its 61st anniversary will continue to provide close air support and interdiction missions aimed at dislodging illegal oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism and other forms of economic sabotage in the South South Region.
Group Captain Abdulhafeez Opaleye disclosed this to Defence Correspondents who visited 115 Special Operations Group for on the spot assessment of the unit base in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
According to him, the Air Component’s unique pivotal role in safeguarding the nation’s critical oil and gas infrastructure across the Niger Delta region cannot be over-emphasized stressing that it is key in increasing crude oil production in the region.
”The Unit base has continually and effectively employed its air assets to locate and destroy numerous illegal refining sites and neutralize oil thieves operating in the Niger Delta region. We conduct air operations jointly with surface forces to deny oil thieves freedom of action. These efforts have consistently shaped the operational theatre, compelling saboteurs to abandon numerous illegal refining sites“, Opaleye said.
The Commander disclosed that between January 25 and May 25, 2025, the unit executed 172 missions, accumulating a total of 268 hours and 40 minutes of flight time, while consuming 87,938 litres of JET-A1 fuel, noting that the operations resulted in the destruction of 49 illegal cooking tanks, 16 boats, and 20 reservoirs and drums used in crude oil theft.
”The Unit also conducts day and night air combat operations deep into the creeks to identify and destroy criminal element camps. Also, the Unit is deeply involved in all anti crude oil theft and illegal refining operations while denying oil thieves and economic saboteurs’ freedom of operations. “Opaleye stated.
Opaleye further emphasised that the Unit will intensify armed reconnaissance and show-of-force missions across known illegal refining locations and also aims to enhance its intelligence-sharing framework with land and maritime forces to enable faster, more precise targeting of criminal activities.
He noted that among the strategic national assets the unit protects are the Trans-Niger Pipeline (TNP), the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) plants, and various wellheads and pipeline routes.
“Our day and night patrols, aerial reconnaissance, and air interdiction missions are routinely carried out to deter and neutralize threats’’, he said, stressing that the Air Component Operation Delta Safe remains committed to its mission of securing Nigeria’s vital oil infrastructure and fostering a safer environment for economic development in the Niger Delta, despite logistics and technical challenges.
“We remain dedicated to the mandate of protecting national assets and neutralizing threats that undermine our economic stability,” Commander Opaleye emphasized, noting that the base had produced two excellent fighter pilots and former Chiefs of the Air Staff in the persons of Air Chief Femi John Femi and Air Chief Sadique Abubakar.
Fielding reporters’ questions on how criminality-related vices could be minimized in the oil-rich region, he suggested that governance issues should be addressed, describing lack of jobs and gainful employment among the youth of the region is a huge challenge in addressing the crude oil thefts. He urged governments across the region to intensify efforts at providing basic social amenities for the populace.
”Non kinetic aspect of the war against the crude oil theft dwells more on the government, if such amenities are provided it will go a long way to reducing some of the social vices in our country“, he said.
Group Captain Abdulafeez Opaleye, Commander of the 115 Special Operations Group, Nigerian Air Force Port-Harcourt further stated that Oil thieves and Pipeline Vandals have continued to be at the receiving end of NAF’s deadly airstrikes and efficient night Patrols by his gallant officers and men.
“Our internal security teams are routinely deployed to both known and suspected hotspots based on intelligence, and their operations are characterized by fluidity, flexibility, and intelligence-driven decision-making”, he said.
Giving a vivid x-ray of their operations on how targets are identified and selected for airstrikes, Opaleye said:
“Some of these locations are initially scanned, and even when access is difficult due to potential resistance or ambushes, our aircraft can reach and strike those targets with accuracy. Using onboard surveillance cameras, we can identify and measure targets precisely to minimize collateral damage.”
According to him, the end result of the operation is to protect oil and gas infrastructure without causing additional harm or damage.
He maintained that the Air Force is fully committed to avoiding civilian casualties during operations, adding, “Our strikes are designed to be as accurate as possible. While we are targeting criminal activities, we are also mindful of the human element. So far, there have been no reports of civilian casualties from our operations. Any reported collateral damage has not involved human lives, and we remain extremely cautious in that regard”.
