The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has given a vivid account of how it has degraded the capabilities of militants and economic saboteurs in the Niger Delta region, saying that it contributed to the enhanced crude oil production in the country.
Crude oil production shot up from 1.3 million barrels per day (bpd) to 1.83 million bpd in the last seven months, a development that significantly raised Nigeria’s revenue.
The Air Component Commander (ACC) of the Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), Air Commodore Ali H. Idris, told Defence Correspondents in Port Harcourt, Rivers State over the weekend that with five aircraft types executing over 320 missions, 402 sorties, and over 482 flying hours, the NAF dominated the Niger Delta (ND) region and put the criminals on the run.
Air Commodore Idris noted that in executing “these impressive records,” 343 storage tanks were destroyed, trucks conveying illegal products were arrested while many militants were neutralized.
The Air Component Commander, who was represented by the Officer-in-charge of Operations, Wing Commander Mohammed Kabir Usman, described the security situation in the Niger Deleta area as “relatively calm but unpredictable.
“However, notable and current threats within OPDS JOA (joint operation area) are crude oil theft, pipelines vandalism, illegal oil bunkering/refining and militancy. These air efforts, no doubt, have degraded the capabilities of the miscreants and oil thieves while also improving the nation’s crude oil production by a significant amount.
“On 4 May, 24, the Scorpion was scrambled to intercept a suspected illegal ship at a location close to BONNY CHANNEL. Also, on 26 Aug 24, the Scorpion conducted pipeline patrol over DEGEMA, DARIAMA, EKULE, BISHOPKIRIand BUGUMA. At BUGUMA, a large canoe was seen transporting crude oil. The crew positively confirmed the canoe was loaded. Additionally, some storage tanks were seen close to the location and were also destroyed.
“Next is on 12 September 24 where the Scorpion conducted Night Recce along Imo River. Active illegal refining sites were seen and destroyed accordingly.
“Finally, 25 September 24, based on intelligence Reports of a possible attack on EGWEAMA Community by locals of the NEMBE Community, the Scorpion scanned both locations and no suspicious gathering or movement was observed in either location. On rejoining from the locations, the Scorpion proceeded to previously identified IRS hotspots in GOGOKIRI and ARUGBANA where several canoes were seen loading from a wellhead with a gunboat seen leaving the vicinity of the wellhead on sighting the helicopter. The Scorpion took out the storage tank.”
According to the ACC, the broad duties of the Air Force in the OPDS are: “identification and tracking of unauthorised vessels thereby complimenting efforts to combat oil theft and economic sabotage and that his command projects to sustain the gains recorded in its own operations by conducting proactive intelligence gathering using ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) platforms including manned and unmanned aircraft.
” Others are to “conduct continuous armed recce and patrol missions to dominate the airspace within the JOA, sustain offensive air operations to degrade and incapacitate oil thieves within the JOA and intensify constructive collaboration with the land and maritime components as well as other security agencies such as the Department of State Security Services, Nigerian Police Force and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The Command also provides air support for surface forces on clearance operations at identified illegal refining sites within the JOA.”
On the challenges confronting his Command, Commodore Idris said they include poor weather, expired apron surface, dilapidated hangar floor and aircraft shelter.