The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has launched an investigation into reports that one of its airstrikes targeting illegal refining sites in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State may have inadvertently hit a local gin distillery.
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The operation, conducted on Tuesday, formed part of ongoing counter-oil theft missions aimed at dismantling illegal crude oil refining clusters across the Niger Delta region.
According to the NAF, the air raid was guided by credible intelligence that identified active illegal refining camps concealed within a densely forested area near Owaza.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the aircrew engaged the targets with precision, destroying the sites and disrupting ongoing illegal refining operations.
He stated, âIn a precise and intelligence-driven operation on 7 October 2025, the NAF successfully disrupted clusters of illegal crude oil refining sites deep within the creeks of Etche Local Government Area, Rivers State.
âThe operation, conducted by the Air Component under ongoing counter-oil theft missions, forms part of sustained efforts to curb economic sabotage and environmental degradation in the Niger Delta region.
âDuring the mission, NAF aircraft identified active illegal refining sites concealed within a densely forested area near Owaza. The location, completely isolated and without visible human activity, was confirmed through credible intelligence and aerial surveillance. The aircrew engaged the targets with precision, neutralising the sites and halting ongoing illegal operations.â
Ejodame, however, noted that the NAFâs attention was later drawn to reports by a local group alleging that the airstrikes affected a nearby gin distillery in the Umuebele community, though no casualties were reported.
He added, âFollowing the operation, the attention of the NAF was drawn to a statement by a group alleging that the airstrikes affected a local gin distillery in Umuebele, though no casualties were reported. In line with its Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan, the NAF has initiated necessary steps to verify this situation.â
The development comes amid growing public scrutiny over incidents of accidental airstrikes in Nigeriaâs conflict zones and questions about target identification and intelligence verification procedures.
To address such concerns, the Nigerian Air Force launched its Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan (CHMR-AP) in May 2025 to strengthen accountability and minimize civilian casualties during operations.
The NAF reaffirmed that its counter-oil theft operations would continue as part of efforts to protect the environment and national economy from illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta. However, it stressed that such missions would remain strictly intelligence-driven and executed with precision to avoid harm to civilians.
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