By Harriet Tornguvan -Abuja
As part of the Federal Government's unwavering commitment to tackling the nation’s pressing security challenges, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) has emerged as a pivotal force in protecting Nigeria’s economic lifelines and national security.
Commander Mohammed Usman disclosed this during a media briefing with journalists, emphasizing the critical role of the Air Component (AC) in executing high-stakes combat and support operations across the Niger Delta region.
He said, these operations extend across multiple states, including Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River.
Air Commodore A.H. Idris, Commander of the 115 Special Operations Group and Air Component Commander of Operation Delta Safe, emphasized the operation's commitment to protecting critical oil and gas infrastructure and combating criminal activities in the South-South region. His remarks were delivered by Commander Mohammed Usman.
Commodore Usman stated that in keeping up with the mandate, the Air Component conducts both joint and independent offensive air operations on identified illegal refining sites and militant camps as well as criminal hideouts within its joint operations area.
"This is pursuant to executing Defence Headquarters’ strategic directive to protect oil and gas infrastructures and deter militancy, sea robbery, crude oil theft, and other forms of criminality within the Niger Delta JOA.
He said that, the air efforts of Air Component OPDS have no doubt shaped the theatre for surface forces to exploit, thereby denying oil thieves and economic saboteurs freedom of operations and causing them to abandon most of their enclaves and bunkering sites.
The Air Component under the joint Task force of South South has achieved a lot in second to fourth quarter of year 2024, Commender Usman stated
"The JTF SS OPDS conducts both kinetic and non-kinetic operations within the JOA spanning 7 states. It is worth noting that crude oil theft and militancy as well as kidnapping remain the most potent threat to security within the South South region.
"These threats are primarily concentrated in Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta states however, there are reported cases of sea piracy and militant activities in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
"These challenges are, however, being successfully tackled through the conduct of both kinetic and non-kinetic operations. These kinetic operations have deterred militants from operating within the JOA and have degraded the capabilities of oil thieves, thereby creating an enabling environment for the populace.
Additionally, he said that the Air Component conducted a total of 320 missions in 402 sorties with a total flight time of 482 hours 40 minutes consuming 119,695 liters of Jet A1 from April to date.
Feathermore , the Air Component has destroyed 343 tanks containing illegally refined products, 108 canoes, a truck conveying illegally refined products, and 97 reservoirs during the same period.
Commodore Usman reiterated OPDS’s dedication to ensuring the security of Nigeria’s vital assets. “The Air Component of Operation Delta Safe remains resolute in its mission to combat criminal activities and enhance national security. We will continue our efforts to build a safer and better nation,” he said.
