General
Air Support Troops Clear 20 Crude Oil Reservoirs in Niger Delta
By Adedapo Adesanya
The 115 Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Nigerian Air Force, under the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), stated that it has destroyed 49 illegal refineries, various cooking tanks, and over 20 large crude oil reservoirs used by oil thieves in the Niger Delta over the last five months.
Commander 115 Special Operations Group (SOG) Group Captain Abdulafeez Opaleye, who made this known, said it has not recorded any civilian casualties as its operations are targeted solely on oil thieves and nothing more.
Group Captain Opaleye said this at a briefing with Defence Correspondents on media tour of military operations in Port Harcourt.
Known as the “home of combat helicopters,” the 115 Operations Group continues to serve as the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe, tasked with protecting national assets in the oil-rich Niger Delta and providing critical combat support to surface forces.
Their operations complements efforts of OPDS, which announced this week that it destroyed 578 illegal refineries and arrested 681 oil thieves between January- May, 2025.
He said precision air strikes carried out by attack helicopters, led to the destruction of 16 large boats used for crude oil siphoning which has effectively reduced operations of oil thieves and economic saboteurs of the country.
Giving an update of the operations of the commands, he said that the anti-crude oil theft missions were executed with a total of 172 sorties, with fighter and surveillance aircraft accumulating 268 hours and 40 minutes of flight time, consuming 87,938 liters of Jet A1 fuel.
He boasted that the daring operations have forced oil thieves and other criminals to flee their hideouts and abandoned illegal refining sites.
He specifically cited a notable precision air raid at Egbema Ohaji on March 27, which neutralized a major illegal refining hub.
The commander further emphasized the unit’s expertise in conducting various air missions, including precision strikes during day and night, close air support, armed escort, air interdiction, combat air patrols, and casualty evacuation.
While noting that Efforts are ongoing to reactivate a Mi-35P helicopter to enhance the group’s firepower to carry out its mandate, the commander said that Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) deployed from Nigerian Air Force Headquarters has no doubt boosted mission success.
Aside air operations, he said the 115 Special Operations Group has deployed ground personnel to collaborate in joint internal security operations with other agencies, helping to police volatile communities and deter organized crime.
The briefing highlighted the technological capacity and operational readiness of the unit, which has deployments in Katsina, Maiduguri, Plateau, and Enugu. It also praised the courage, professionalism, and sacrifices of Nigerian Air Force personnel dedicated to securing the nation.
The commander who attributed the rise in Nigeria’s oil production capacity—from 1.2 million barrels to 1.85 million barrels per day—to the precision air strikes, especially in areas inaccessible to ground forces, said that the group’s night operation capabilities have been “top-notch.”
The commander noted that the criminals have evolved new methods of moving illegal refining activities further from pipeline routes to escape detection.
“Previously, these activities occurred near pipelines, but now we’ve seen them operate up to 1,500 meters away from the source.
They tap into pipelines during maintenance operations and run hoses as far as 10 to 15 kilometers into remote areas, especially deep within forested mangroves.
“In some of these places, there is no visible sign of activity on the surface. However, we are able to detect, confirm, and destroy these illegal operations with precision.”
The commander who maintained that the operation is targeted solely on oil thieves and not civilians, said
“Our strikes are designed 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,”.
In an operational briefing by Flight Lieutenant I.H. Adamu (SO1 Operations, 150 Wing) noted the unit’s available air assets, including EC-135 helicopters for light combat and liaison roles, T-129 Atak helicopters for offensive operations, and Mi-35 helicopter gunships.
On his part, Team leader Navy Commander Goddy Egbunu, and other officials representing Defence Media Operations commended the 115 Special Operations Group for its outstanding performance in combating oil theft, vandalism, and criminality in the Niger Delta.
Group Captain Opaleye was specifically praised for his purposeful leadership, tactical expertise, and unwavering dedication, which have positioned the unit as one of Nigeria’s most formidable aerial strike and surveillance teams.
By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu has been tasked to ensure that an alleged missing N2.9 billion of public funds from the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) is accounted for.
In a statement on Sunday, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) said the President must ask the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr Bosun Tijani, to explain what happened to the money, as the two agencies are under his supervision.
The group said the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), should investigate the missing funds or any other diverted funds from the agencies documented in the previous annual reports by the Auditor-General.
According to the statement, the allegations were documented in the latest annual report published by the Auditor-General on September 9, 2025.
SERAP argued that these allegations, involving critical public institutions, represent a grave violation of the public trust and a fundamental breach of Nigeria’s anti-corruption laws and international obligations.
“We’ve urged President Bola Tinubu to direct @bosuntijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and the Management of both the Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd (NIGCOMSAT) and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) to account for and explain the whereabouts of the alleged missing or diverted N2.9 billion of public funds from NIGCOMSAT and NNRA.
“We also urged him to direct Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and anti-corruption agencies to investigate the alleged missing or diverted funds, and any other diverted public funds from the two agencies documented in previous annual reports by the Auditor-General,” the organisation said.
The rights group stressed that anyone found responsible should be prosecuted where sufficient admissible evidence exists, adding that any missing or diverted public funds must be fully recovered and returned to the treasury.
“Anyone suspected to be responsible should face prosecution as appropriate, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and any missing or diverted public funds should be fully recovered and remitted to the treasury,” the statement added.
“Accountability in NIGCOMSAT and NNRA is critical given their strategic roles in Nigeria’s digital economy and national safety systems. Mismanagement in these agencies not only wastes scarce public resources but also threatens national development, technological progress, and public safety,” it concluded.
By Dipo Olowookere
The National Museum in Lagos is wearing a new look, thanks to IHS Nigeria, a member of the IHS Holding Limited, which bankrolled the renovation of the facility.
The company, one of the largest independent owners, operators, and developers of shared communications infrastructure in the world by tower count, also ensured facilities at the museum were upgraded for the use of members of the public.
IHS Nigeria collaborated with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments to give the facility a facelift.
The overall aesthetic appeal of the museum site was improved, with an extensive restoration of the main gallery, which incorporates the installation of modern display and lighting systems, air‑conditioning units, a solar inverter system to enhance energy efficiency, and surveillance cameras to aid safety, security and operational performance across the facility.
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Ms Hannatu Musawa, at the commissioning, praised the organisation for supporting the long-term preservation of Nigeria’s cultural assets and heritage.
The Director General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Mr Olugbile Holloway, also thanked IHS Nigeria for the renovation, saying the gesture goes far beyond bricks and mortar, as it is a profound commitment to preserving the soul of the nation.
“The National Museum Lagos is home to some of Nigeria’s most treasured antiquities, from the ancient terracotta of the Nok civilisation to the magnificent bronzes of the Benin Kingdom and the classical works of Ife.
“To restore this institution is to restore our collective memory. We thank HIS Nigeria for choosing to renew not just infrastructure, but the heritage, identity, and hope of our people.
“Their support ensures that generations of Nigerians yet unborn will walk through these halls and encounter the full greatness of who we are and where we come from,” Mr Holloway said.
In his remarks, the chief executive of IHS Nigeria, Mr Mohamad Darwish, said, “Having seen the rich historical and cultural heritage housed in this national museum complex, we believed it was important to go a step further after supporting the development of the digital museum, to also improve the aesthetics, security and structural integrity of the main physical complex.
“This aligns with our broader commitment to sustainable infrastructure development and the preservation of Nigeria’s history. I am proud of these renovations and that visitors, including tourists, researchers and art enthusiasts, can visit the museum to be immersed in Nigeria’s rich history in an environment that is safe, beautiful and welcoming.
“The artefacts can also now be better preserved, protected and presented in a way that celebrates the history they represent. I thank the National Commission for Museums and Monuments for this ongoing partnership, which continues to exemplify the power of a collaborative effort in driving innovation, fostering national pride, and enhancing the creative economy.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Kebbi State Police Command says 44 people were killed following a coordinated attack on eight communities in Shanga Local Government Area of the North-Western state.
The affected villages include Gebe, Kalkami, Kawara, Kasoshi, Awaye, Tungar Rini, Binuwa, and Dabe.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Kebbi Police Command Public Relations Officer, Mr Bashir Usman, said it launched a statewide clearance operation.
Mr Usman said the operation followed the directive of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu, aimed at preventing further banditry and violent crimes across the state.
The police stated that massive deployments of police personnel and other security agencies have been made to the affected communities, leading to the return of relative calm.
The command added that discreet investigations have commenced into the attack.
The ongoing clearance operation, according to the police, is targeting high-risk areas such as farmlands, forests, border communities, and remote settlements.
It also includes coordinated patrols, intelligence-led stop-and-search operations, and joint actions with other security agencies.
As part of the operation, the police said two AK-47 rifles were recovered along the Illo-Kamba axis, describing it as evidence of the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Umar Hadejia, called on residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and credible information.
Mr Hadejia also urged traditional rulers, community leaders, religious bodies, and youth groups to support ongoing efforts to restore peace and strengthen security across the state.
Residents had reportedly appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris to take decisive action to restore security in the area and enable displaced residents to safely return to their homes.
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