Nigerian Air Force Chief Pledges Intensified Protection for Niger Delta Oil Infrastructure Following 495 Combat Missions

Air Marshal Aneke commissions new Port Harcourt facilities as the Nigerian Air Force reports 495 missions to protect oil infrastructure from illegal bunkering.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 6, 2026, 4:30 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from NewsDiary Online

Air Marshal Aneke Launches Modernized Command Hub in Port Harcourt

The Nigerian Air Force has initiated a significant upgrade to its operational footprint in the Niger Delta through the commissioning of new infrastructure at the 115 Special Operations Group. Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the Chief of the Air Staff, inaugurated a modern briefing room complex and several administrative buildings designed to streamline the coordination of aerial sorties. According to Aneke, functional infrastructure is a mandatory requirement for maintaining high operational standards, particularly for units housing the military’s primary combat helicopter fleet.

Strengthening Ties with Rivers State Through Asset Transfers

A pivotal element of the current security strategy involves deep integration with local governance, evidenced by the Air Marshal’s meeting with Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The state government has actively bolstered federal air capabilities by handing over an Agusta 139 helicopter and financing the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt base runway. Governor Fubara noted that security remains a prerequisite for economic growth, justifying the state’s provision of residential units and land titles to ensure personnel are well-positioned for long-term deployment.

Operational Data Highlights Surge in Counter-Bunkering Sorties

The scale of the military’s aerial commitment was revealed during a review of the 115 Special Operations Group’s performance metrics for the previous calendar year. Air Marshal Aneke disclosed that the unit successfully executed 495 missions in 2025, focusing heavily on the protection of oil infrastructure and the suppression of illegal bunkering activities. These figures underscore the high tempo of air operations required to prevent economic sabotage in the nation’s most sensitive resource zones.