The Nigerian Air Force has launched an investigation into claims that one of its airstrikes on illegal refining sites in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State may have mistakenly hit a local gin distillery.
The operation, carried out on Tuesday, was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle illegal crude oil refining clusters in 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 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 halting ongoing illegal operations.
The statement partly read, “In 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.
“The 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.
“During the mission, NAF aircraft identified active illegal refining sites concealed within a densely forested area near Owaza.
Ejodame noted that the NAF’s attention was later drawn to reports by a local group alleging that the strikes affected a nearby gin distillery in the Umuebele community.
He said, “Following 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.”
The development follows previous incidents of accidental airstrikes in Nigeria’s conflict zones, which have drawn public scrutiny over target identification and intelligence verification procedures.
The air force introduced the CHMR-AP in May 2025 to strengthen measures that prevent civilian harm during operations.
The NAF reiterated that its counter-oil theft missions would continue as part of efforts to protect the environment and national economy from illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta, but stressed that such operations would remain intelligence-driven and precise.
