“NAF Denies Involvement in Buguma Explosion, Cites Illegal Oil Activities as Cause”

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has dismissed reports falsely linking it to the explosion at the NNPC wellhead in Buguma, located in the Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State. Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, the Director of Public Relations and Information at the NAF, released a statement on Monday, categorically refuting the claims as baseless.

The allegations had been raised by the Buguma community spokesperson, who speculated that the fire could have been caused by aging oil facilities, illegal oil bunkering, or NAF operations. However, the NAF’s statement clarified that the wellhead had been leaking crude oil due to prolonged illegal activities in the area. The statement emphasized that high-definition video recordings, including footage from NAF missions in December 2024, showed the wellhead leaking oil well before the explosion occurred, with the barge already burnt prior to NAF’s arrival.

The NAF’s onboard camera systems provide transparency and accountability, capturing and documenting every mission. This, the statement said, eliminated any possibility of indiscriminate firing at civilians or destruction of assets, as had been falsely alleged.

Furthermore, the NAF reiterated its commitment to due diligence, ensuring that only illegal refining sites and equipment are targeted in its operations. The safety of innocent civilians and the protection of critical infrastructure remain top priorities for the service.

In conclusion, the statement reassured the public that the NAF remains resolute in its mission to safeguard the nation’s critical infrastructure and combat crude oil theft, all while upholding the highest standards of professionalism and respect for human life.