Tinubu Urges World Leaders To Declare Theft Of Mineral Resources An International Crime.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on world leaders to recognise the stealing of countries’ mineral resources through illegal mining and smuggling as an international crime.

Speaking at the 7th Annual General Assembly of the Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA) in Abuja, the President said the illegal exploitation of Africa’s natural resources has become a global threat to economic stability and peace.

Tinubu lamented that billions of dollars are lost yearly to mineral smuggling, corruption, and illicit trade, which he said fuel insecurity, kidnapping and banditry across the continent.

“The stealing of our countries’ mineral resources should no longer be treated as a local issue. It is an international cr+me that undermines peace and stability,” he said.

The President urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the broader international community to strengthen legal frameworks that criminalize illegal mining and resource theft.

He also called for collective regional action to trace and recover stolen assets, while emphasizing transparency in their use. Tinubu disclosed that Nigeria has so far channelled over ₦100 billion in recovered proceeds into social intervention projects such as the Student Loan Scheme and the Consumer Credit Scheme.

“No nation can win this fight alone. We must build stronger partnerships and ensure that those who profit from our collective wealth face justice,” he added.

Tinubu further appealed to world leaders to support a global convention against resource theft, similar to existing international laws against drug and human trafficking.

Libyan Police Arrest Two Nigerians Over Drug Trafficking in Zliten.

Authorities in Zliten, Libya, have arrested two undocumented Nigerian migrants for alleged involvement in drug trafficking.

According to a Sunday report by Migrant Rescue Watch, operatives of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) apprehended the suspects with quantities of hashish and hallucinogenic pills believed to be intended for sale.

The organisation disclosed that the duo has since been transferred to the Anti-Narcotics Agency for further interrogation and prosecution.

“CID in Zliten arrested two undocumented Nigerian nationals over drug trafficking. They were caught with hashish and hallucinogenic pills ready for distribution,” the statement read.

In recent months, Libyan security agencies have ramped up efforts to combat crimes linked to irregular migrants, focusing on curbing drug-related offences and dismantling smuggling networks across the country.

Kwara Police Seize Cannabis Hidden in Yam Tubers.

The Kwara State Police Command, working with operatives of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS), and local vigilantes, has intercepted a vehicle transporting 127 bags of suspected cannabis concealed beneath tubers of yam.

Police spokesperson SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, in a statement on Saturday, described the seizure as another major breakthrough in the fight against crime and drug trafficking.

The operation, conducted on September 26, 2025, around 4 p.m. along the Babanla–Oreke–Oke-Ode axis, led to the arrest of two suspects, Dan-Teni Haruna and Rabiu Ibrahim both from Saliku in Magama Local Government Area of Niger State.

Authorities said investigations are ongoing to unravel the wider network behind the smuggling attempt.

Abuja dispatch rider arrested with cocaine, loud.

NDLEA Seizes N3.99bn Drugs, Arrests 34 Suspects Across Eight States

The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has confirmed the arrest of 34 suspects across Lagos, Ogun, Kano, Abuja, Oyo, Edo, Yobe, and Anambra States during operations between September 7 and 11, 2025.

The agency retrieved a total of N3.99bn worth of drugs and intercepted large quantities including over 2.6 million tramadol pills, 6,029 bottles of skuchies, 4,232kg of cannabis, 196 litres of Akuskura, 17kg of skunk, 13.9kg of methamphetamine, and several other psychoactive substances.

The report, released on Sunday and signed by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, confirmed that no fewer than 2.6 million pills were recovered during the operations.

According to the NDLEA, traffickers employed multiple smuggling models, including concealment in multi-vitamin cartons, vehicle spare parts, food items, picture frames, and courier packages, as well as trafficking via passengers at airports and motorcycles across borders.

On Thursday, September 11, NDLEA officers swooped on a clearing agent and two drivers attempting to move 2.5 million tramadol pills disguised as multi-vitamins from the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The consignment, worth ₦3.99 billion, had arrived aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Delhi, India, on Monday, September 8.

A follow-up operation on Friday, September 12, led to the arrest of the Indian businessman, Gupta Ravi Kumar, believed to be the consignee, alongside three Nigerian accomplices: Ogunlana Noah Olanrewaju, Olushola Idrees Kayode, and Bakare Korede Muheeb.

Customs Seize Cannabis Worth ₦48.5m, ₦220m Contraband In Kaduna

The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted cannabis valued at ₦48.5m and other contraband worth ₦220.4m in Kaduna State.

Spokesman Saidu Nuruddeen said nine sacks containing 185 blocks of Cannabis Sativa weighing 89.6kg were seized along the Kaduna-Zaria Expressway.

A male suspect was arrested, with the exhibits handed to NDLEA for further investigation.

Other seizures included petrol, foreign rice, second-hand clothes, tyres, spaghetti cartons, and electric shockers.

#Customs #NDLEA #Kaduna #Smuggling

Police Arrest 65-Year-Old Man With Over 1,000 Rounds Of Live Ammunition In Anambra

Police operatives in Anambra State have arrested a 65-year-old man, Akpan Godwin, with 1,100 rounds of live ammunition at Nkpor, near Onitsha.

Command spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga disclosed on Saturday that the Rapid Response Squad attached to Akwuzu effected the arrest following credible intelligence. During interrogation, Godwin admitted to involvement in illegal ammunition sales and named other accomplices.

Ikenga said investigations are ongoing to track down his collaborators and dismantle the wider arms supply network fueling insecurity in the state.

Anambra has faced worsening security challenges, with recent police crackdowns leading to multiple arrests linked to arms smuggling, vandalism, and violent crimes.

#AnambraSecurity #IllegalArms #NigeriaPolice #Onitsha

Nigerian Navy Officer Dead As Boat Drowns In Lagos Anti-Rice Smuggling Operation.

US Government Declares $25million Bounty on Venezuelan President Maduro Wanted For Dr¥g Tr+fficking, others.

The United States has declared Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro wanted for dr¥g tr+fficking, offering a $25 million reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction.

Two top allies, Diosdado Cabello Rondón and Vladimir Padrino López, are also wanted, with $25 million and $15 million bounties placed on them, respectively.

The U.S. Department of State, in a Tuesday statement, accused the trio of leading the Cartel de los Soles, recently designated a t+rr@rist group by the U.S. Treasury. The cartel is allegedly responsible for smuggling massive amounts of coc@ine into the United States.

“Run by the c+rrupt and contemptible Nicolás Maduro, it is responsible for tr+fficking dr¥gs into the U.S.,” the Treasury said.

A wanted poster describes Maduro as a “designated global t+rr@rist cartel leader” charged with narco-t+rr@rist conspiracy, coc@ine importation, and use of destructive weapons in a dr¥g crime.

The timing of the announcement coincides with the anniversary of Maduro’s controversial re-election, which the U.S. and allies called fr@udulent. The U.S. does not recognise Maduro’s regime and has imposed numerous sanctions on Venezuelan leadership.

In January, similar rewards were offered as Maduro began his third term. The UK also imposed sanctions on 15 top Venezuelan officials, including judges and military leaders.

The U.S. now seeks public help to apprehend Maduro and his associates, escalating international pressure on Venezuela’s embattled leadership.

The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted five trucks loaded with 2,800 bags of smuggled foreign rice along the Seme-Krake border corridor. The seized goods have a duty paid value of N919.775 million.

The operation was carried out by officers of the Seme Area Command during a recent anti-smuggling patrol. According to Comptroller Timi Bomodi, Area Controller of the command, the rice was discovered concealed in 5 trucks attempting to enter Nigeria through unauthorized routes.

Bomodi stated that the seizure aligns with federal efforts to curb illegal importation & encourage local rice production. He highlighted that rice remains a prohibited import & its high demand makes it a frequent target for smugglers.

Commending the officers involved, Bomodi praised their vigilance & urged the public to support the fight against smuggling by reporting suspicious activities. The five trucks are now in custody & investigations are ongoing to uncover those behind the smuggling attempt. No arrests have been reported yet.

The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted five trucks loaded with 2,800 bags of smuggled foreign rice along the Seme-Krake border corridor. The seized goods have a duty paid value of N919.775 million.

The operation was carried out by officers of the Seme Area Command during a recent anti-smuggling patrol. According to Comptroller Timi Bomodi, Area Controller of the command, the rice was discovered concealed in 5 trucks attempting to enter Nigeria through unauthorized routes.

Bomodi stated that the seizure aligns with federal efforts to curb illegal importation & encourage local rice production. He highlighted that rice remains a prohibited import & its high demand makes it a frequent target for smugglers.

Commending the officers involved, Bomodi praised their vigilance & urged the public to support the fight against smuggling by reporting suspicious activities. The five trucks are now in custody & investigations are ongoing to uncover those behind the smuggling attempt. No arrests have been reported yet.

JUST IN: Nigeria Customs Intercepts ₦919.5 Million Worth of Smuggled Rice at Seme Border


5 Trucks. 2,800 Bags. Nearly ₦1 Billion in Duty!
In a major anti-smuggling operation, Nigeria Customs Service at the Seme border has intercepted five trucks loaded with 2,800 bags of foreign rice, estimated at ₦919.5 million in duty value.

Authorities say the seizure is part of ongoing efforts to combat economic sabotage and protect local agriculture.


#CustomsClampdown #SmuggledRice #SemeBorder #NigeriaCustoms #BorderSecurity

Feared Terror Commander Captured In Agadez By Nigerien Forces.

In a significant victory for counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel region, Nigerien security forces have captured one of the most notorious terrorist figures in northern Niger. The suspect, identified as Barhadine Mehdoune, was apprehended during a military operation in the Agadez region, a known hotspot for insurgent activity.


Mehdoune, a former officer in the Libyan military, had long been on the radar of regional intelligence agencies. After deserting the Libyan army with a cadre of loyal combatants, he established a violent presence across the porous desert borderlands, launching attacks that devastated remote communities and disrupted local governance. Security sources describe him as a key figure in the transnational terror networks that operate between Libya, Niger, and Mali.

According to military officials involved in the operation, Mehdoune was captured while attempting to traverse the Agadez region in a convoy of armed fighters. In a bid to avoid detection, he presented false identification and claimed to be Aboubacar Boudour Balla, a civilian driver. However, his efforts to conceal his identity were thwarted by vigilant soldiers who had been briefed with updated intelligence reports and facial recognition photographs.

“We had his file, his movements were being tracked, and when the moment came, our forces acted swiftly,” said one senior officer familiar with the case. “He attempted to mislead us, but the disguise didn’t hold up under scrutiny.”

No resistance was reported during the arrest, and Mehdoune is now in custody. Authorities have confirmed that he is being interrogated at a secure location, with hopes that his capture will yield critical intelligence on terror cells operating across Niger’s northern frontiers.

Military analysts say Mehdoune’s arrest marks a major setback for extremist elements in the region and a morale boost for Niger’s armed forces. The Agadez region, long plagued by insurgency, arms trafficking, and migrant smuggling, has been a focal point of joint regional security initiatives.

While details about the exact nature of the security sweep remain classified, officials hinted that more arrests may follow as the military capitalizes on momentum gained from Mehdoune’s capture. His detention is also expected to facilitate ongoing investigations into cross-border terrorism, illicit arms flows, and radicalization networks in the central Sahara.

Regional observers say Mehdoune’s arrest may prompt retaliation from affiliated militant groups, and the Nigerien government is reportedly tightening security measures around critical infrastructure and urban centers

EFCC Commences Investigation of Suspect Over Undeclared $420,900, £5,825, CFA3,946,500 Alleged Fraud

The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has commenced a comprehensive investigation into the case of one Ahmad Salisu, arrested by the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, for allegedly concealing and failing to declare the sum of $420,900 (Four Hundred and Twenty Thousand, Nine Hundred US Dollars), £5,825, (Five Thousand, Eight Hundred and Twenty Five Pounds Sterling), CFA3,946,500 (Three Million, Nine Hundred and Forty Six Thousand, Five CFA) and Cameroonian CFA 224,000( Two Hundred and Twenty Four Thousand Cameroonian CFA).

Salisu was intercepted by Customs operatives during a routine check on Monday, July 7, 2025 at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano. Upon physical inspection, it was revealed that the cash was meticulously concealed in a polythene bag covered by cloth and other fabrics in the luggage of the suspect.

Upon arrest, the suspect reportedly disclosed that he was transporting the funds on behalf of his brother Auwal Ahmad who is still in Saudi Arabia to be delivered to two individuals, Yusuf Adamu and Abdulhamid Rabiu who were also arrested upon their arrival to claim the monies. Following preliminary interrogation and documentation, the Nigeria Customs Service formally handed over the trio and the recovered funds to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.

In a joint press briefing at the office of Nigeria Customs Service Kano/Jigawa Area Command, Kano Zonal Director of the EFCC, Commander of the EFCC, Ibrahim Shazali stated that the EFCC and Nigerian Customs was committed to zero tolerance for illegal cash smuggling and all other forms of economic and financial crimes and will not spare any offender. “The EFCC and the Nigerian Customs Service, working in concert, have zero tolerance for illegal cash smuggling”, he said.

“Our surveillance is active, our intelligence is sharp, and our resolve to apprehend offenders is unwavering. Attempting to circumvent our financial laws and border controls is a futile and costly endeavour,” he added.

Shazali also called on the general public and other stakeholders to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity across the Nigeria borders. “We urge the public, particularly stakeholders within the aviation sector and financial institutions to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement of large volumes of cash. Protecting the integrity of our economy is a collective responsibility”, he said.

The Customs Area Comptroller, Dalhatu Abubakar in his remarks pointed out that currency declaration is part of Nigeria’s effort to combat money laundering and terrorist financing activities and all efforts must be enhanced to protect the sanctity of our borders in that regard. “The currency declaration regime is part of a holistic anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing measures provided in our laws to protect the sanctity and integrity of the Nigerian financial system. The measures are also aimed at controlling the flow of funds to criminal networks, terrorist, bandits and drug barons whose activities jeopardize our national security”, he said.

The suspects will soon be charged to court.

Police arrest 50 cultists, recover 36 vehicles, firearms.

Fifty suspected cult members have been arrested by the police in Lagos State during a crackdown on cultism in different parts of the state.

The police also recovered no fewer than thirty-six exotic vehicles, valued at hundreds of millions of naira, from suspected armed robbers and car thieves.

These were disclosed on Wednesday by the Commissioner of Police in the state, Olohundare Jimoh, while briefing newsmen on the activities of the police over the last few months.

The police boss also used the occasion to assure residents of enhanced security across all parts of the state.

He further stated that the police recovered eighty-two firearms from the arrested cult members and other criminals.

According to him, more than twenty-three cultists were arrested in connection with recent disturbances, while over fifty cultists were apprehended by the newly established anti-cultism squads.

Speaking to journalists, Jimoh said:
“This press briefing dwells on the many achievements recorded by the Lagos State Police Command in crime prevention and control, as well as the strategies adopted to ensure that Lagosians can sleep peacefully in their homes.

More than twenty-three of these cult members have been arrested. I will also display their weapons during the course of this briefing.

Some of these cultists are currently in custody and will be prosecuted upon completion of investigations into their cases. We have also recorded other successes.”

The recovered vehicles which include a Mercedes-Benz and other brands were linked to various criminal activities such as advanced fee fraud, inter-state vehicle theft, and cases where entrusted drivers diverted vehicles for personal gain. Some were also stolen at gunpoint from their owners.

A Porsche vehicle and two Mercedes-Benz cars, worth ₦250 million and ₦350 million respectively, were among those recovered in the state.

Jimoh explained:
“These vehicles displayed here today are thirty-six in total. They are exotic and some are worth several millions hundreds of millions of naira.

They were recovered from fraudulent transactions and advance fee frauds. Some were taken from other states and transported through Lagos with the intention of smuggling them out of the country. Others were taken by trusted drivers who absconded with them.

Some of the vehicles recovered today were already en route to the borders of Lagos State, intended for illegal export.
We have also recovered vehicles that had already been sold; we traced and retrieved them. Others were found in the possession of criminals who had forcefully taken them from their rightful owners.”

The police commissioner further noted:
“A considerable number of assorted firearms and ammunition were also recovered from the cultists and other criminals operating in Lagos State.”

He advised:
I want to call on all Lagosians and visitors to Lagos—as well as those in neighboring states—whose vehicles were stolen at gunpoint, diverted by drivers, or removed under suspicious circumstances, to visit the command headquarters for identification and recovery.

PRESS RELEASE

Former EFCC chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa unveils explosive book on Nigeria’s fuel subsidy fraud

Abdulrasheed Bawa, the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has released a groundbreaking new book titled ‘The Shadow of Loot & Losses: Uncovering Nigeria's Petroleum Subsidy Fraud’.

This powerful exposé provides the most authoritative account yet of Nigeria’s multi-trillion-naira fuel subsidy scandal, unraveling the inner workings of one of the country’s most pervasive financial crimes.

Drawing from his firsthand experience as a key investigator on the EFCC’s special team that probed the 2012 subsidy fraud, Bawa reveals the staggering scale, complexity, and audacity of the schemes used to siphon public funds under the guise of fuel subsidy payments. His insider narrative chronicles how billions of naira were recovered and several culprits brought to justice, while also shedding light on how entrenched corruption allowed the fraud to flourish for years.

In the book, published by CableBooks, an imprint of Cable Media & Publishing Ltd, Bawa details multiple fraudulent strategies including:

Ghost importing and over-invoicing: Companies submitted claims for fuel that was never imported or inflated shipment volumes to receive excessive subsidy payouts.

Manipulation of bills of lading: By altering shipping documents, fraudsters exploited international price fluctuations to claim higher subsidies.

Round-tripping and double claims: Single shipments were often used to obtain multiple subsidy payments.

Diversion and smuggling: Subsidised fuel was frequently diverted to black markets or smuggled out of Nigeria for profit.

These practices, Bawa explains, were enabled by forged documents, weak regulatory oversight, and systemic collusion between corrupt government officials and private sector actors.

“The Shadow of Loot & Losses is not just a chronicle of fraud,” says Bawa. “It is a call to action — a demand for transparency, accountability, and reform in Nigeria’s public finance management, especially in the oil sector.”

Having served as EFCC chairman from 2021 to 2023, Bawa brings rare credibility and insight into the institutional challenges and political dynamics that have shaped the anti-corruption fight in Nigeria. His book is both a revelation and a reckoning — offering evidence-based analysis and personal reflections on one of the most controversial chapters in Nigeria’s recent history.

The Shadow of Loot & Losses is essential reading for policymakers, civil society advocates, journalists, and citizens interested in understanding how systemic fraud undermines development and how it can be confronted.

The book is distributed nationwide by RovingHeights Bookstore.

SIGNED
Vic Akinrogunde
CableBooks, an imprint of Cable Media & Publishing Ltd.

Nigerian Police Foil Arms Smuggling Plot to Kwara, Nab Two Suspects

Major Arms Seizure in Anambra: Troops Intercept Truck with Over 164,000 Live Ammunition

In a significant security operation, Nigerian troops have intercepted a truck loaded with over 164,000 live ammunition in Anambra State. The operation, which took place on July 15, 2023, was a result of actionable intelligence and vigilant efforts by the Nigerian Army.

Troops of the 192 Battalion Nigerian Army, operating within the 81 Division Area of Responsibility, conducted a stop-and-search operation along the Ajilete-Owode Road in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State. During the operation, they uncovered a truck with registration number ENU 697 XY, which was loaded with 720 packets of Red Star Cartridges (12 Calibre), each containing 25 cartridges, totaling 18,000 cartridges. 250 packets of live (black) cartridges, each containing 10 packets, totaling 2,500 cartridges.

The ammunition was cleverly concealed in a truck that appeared empty, highlighting the sophistication of the smuggling attempt.

Two individuals were arrested in connection with the illicit shipment:

Eric Seworvor, a Ghanaian national.

Lukman Sani, the Nigerian driver of the truck.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the ammunition was imported from Mali through the Idiroko International Border. The suspects had successfully evaded several checkpoints en route to their final destination in Onitsha, Anambra State, where they intended to deliver the illegal cargo.
The timely intervention by the Nigerian Army prevented what could have been a catastrophic security breach. The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, commended the troops for their dedication and urged them to continue their efforts in ensuring the safety and security of all Nigerians.
This operation underscores the ongoing challenges posed by illegal arms trafficking and the commitment of Nigerian security forces to combat such threats.

#AnambraArmsSeizure #NigerianArmy #SecurityOperation #IllegalAmmunition

NDLEA Arrests Saudi-Bound Pilgrims, Seizes ₦9.3bn Worth of Drugs in Rivers

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested two intending hajj pilgrims and dismantled a major drug trafficking syndicate smuggling cocaine to Saudi Arabia. The agency also intercepted drugs valued at over ₦9.3 billion during a sweeping operation in Rivers State.

In a statement released on Sunday, NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi revealed that two pilgrims—Ibrahim Umar Mustapha and Muhammad Siraj Shifado—were arrested at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Jeddah on May 26. Both suspects were found to have ingested 45 wraps of cocaine each, totaling 90 pellets weighing 1.04 kilograms.

“The interdiction at the NDLEA final screening point followed credible intelligence,” Babafemi said. “After body scans confirmed drug ingestion, both individuals were placed under excretion observation.”

Syndicate Dismantled
A follow-up investigation led to the arrest of three alleged kingpins—Abubakar Muhammad, Abdulhakeem Muhammed Tijjani, and Muhammad Aji Shugaba—on May 27 and 28 in Kano. The group is suspected of sponsoring hajj pilgrims as drug couriers to Saudi Arabia.

“This network has been identified as a major player in trafficking drugs during pilgrimage seasons,” Babafemi added.

Businessman Arrested En Route to Iran
In a separate incident, NDLEA operatives at the Kano airport arrested Chinedu Leonard Okigbo, a 60-year-old businessman, while trying to board a Qatar Airways flight to Iran. A body scan revealed he had ingested 65 wraps of cocaine, weighing 1.41 kilograms.

Massive Seizures in Rivers
Between May 28 and 30, seven watch-listed containers were jointly inspected by NDLEA officers, Customs officials, and other security agencies at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne. The operation yielded:

825,200 bottles of codeine-based syrup and trodol, worth ₦5.77 billion

5,100,000 pills of opioids, including tapentadol 225mg, valued at ₦3.57 billion

The combined street value of the seized drugs was put at ₦9.346 billion.

Other Major Operations
In Kano, two men—Abubakar Hussein (42) and Sahabi Adamu (53)—were caught along the Kano-Maiduguri road on May 30 with $900,000 in suspected counterfeit cash.

In Adamawa, operatives recovered 390 blocks of skunk (cannabis) weighing 275.3kg from an abandoned Toyota Sienna vehicle on May 27.

In Kwara State, on May 31, notorious drug dealer Alhaja Mutiat Abdul-Fatai was arrested at Oja Oba, Ilorin. Various opioids including tramadol, flunitrazepam, and codeine syrup were recovered.

Public Sensitization and Commendation
NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy continued with sensitization sessions in schools across Katsina, Enugu, Anambra, Kano, and Cross River.

The NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), praised the efforts of the agency's commands in Kano, Rivers, Kwara, and Adamawa, and urged continued commitment to drug supply and demand reduction.

“These successes reflect the agency’s unwavering resolve in combating the drug menace across Nigeria,” Marwa said.

Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
Sunday, June 1, 2025

No Civilians, Just Criminals: NAF Takes Out 49 Illegal Refineries in Niger Delta — According to The Sun

In a powerful show of force and precision, the 115 Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), under the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), has taken down 49 illegal refineries, cooking tanks, and over 20 massive crude oil reservoirs used by oil thieves across the Niger Delta in the past five months.

Speaking during a press briefing in Port Harcourt, Group Captain Abdulafeez Opaleye stated that the air strikes are strictly targeted at criminal operations, not civilians. “Our strikes are designed to be as accurate as possible. So far, there have been no civilian casualties, and we remain extremely cautious in that regard,” he emphasized.

According to The Sun, the Air Force’s precision strikes, carried out using attack helicopters, also destroyed 16 large boats used for crude oil theft and smuggling. The operations involved 172 sorties and logged over 268 hours of flight time, consuming 87,938 liters of Jet A1 fuel.

A major highlight was the March 27 air raid on Egbema Ohaji, which dismantled a critical illegal refining hub. Opaleye credited the success to coordinated Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), including UAVs and aircraft from the NAF Headquarters.

The Commander further detailed how oil thieves have adapted by relocating operations up to 15 kilometers into forested mangroves—yet the Air Force has remained one step ahead, detecting and striking these remote sites with surgical precision.

Beyond air missions, the 115 SOG has deployed ground troops for joint internal security operations, strengthening law enforcement in volatile regions.

Acknowledging the strategic impact, Opaleye linked the rise in Nigeria’s oil production—from 1.2 million to 1.85 million barrels per day—to these air operations, especially in areas inaccessible to ground forces.

Backed by top-tier air assets like EC-135, T-129 ATAK, and Mi-35 gunships, the unit remains a formidable aerial force known as the “home of combat helicopters.” Commendations also poured in from Navy Commander Goddy Egbunu and Defence Media Operations, praising the team’s leadership and impact on national security.

⸻

#NAFOperations #CrudeOilTheft #DeltaSafe #NigerianAirForce #OilRefineryBust #NAFAirStrikes