The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has dismissed claims by certain media outlets suggesting its involvement in the explosion at a Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) wellhead in Buguma Community, Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The clarification was made in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by Olusola Akinboyewa, Director of Public Relations and Information. NAF described the reports as “false and unfounded,” urging media organizations to verify facts before publication instead of relying on speculation.
According to the statement, the explosion was caused by a prolonged crude oil leak at the wellhead, attributed to years of illegal activities in the area.
“High-definition video recordings from previous NAF missions, including footage from December 2024, reveal that the wellhead had been leaking oil and that a barge at the location was already engulfed in flames before the arrival of the NAF team.
“The onboard camera systems, which document all operations, showed no evidence of indiscriminate firing or civilian-targeted actions as alleged by some reports”, the statement reads. The statement also addressed claims made by a spokesperson from Buguma Community, who speculated that the fire might have resulted from ageing oil facilities, illegal oil bunkering, or NAF operations.
It reiterated that the NAF strictly adheres to due diligence before engaging any target, focusing solely on illegal refining sites and equipment while prioritizing the safety of civilians and critical infrastructure.
NAF emphasized its commitment to protecting national assets and combating crude oil theft, stating that it operates with the highest standards of professionalism and respect for human life. The public has been assured that the NAF will remain steadfast in its mission to safeguard Nigeria’s critical infrastructure while ensuring accountability and transparency in all its operations.
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