NAF, NNPC deepen partnership to protect oil, gas infrastructure

Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. have strengthened collaboration to boost the security of the nation’s critical oil and gas infrastructure. This followed a courtesy visit by the chief of the air staff, Sunday Aneke, to NNPCL boss Bayo Ojulari, in Abuja. According to a NAF statement on Wednesday, Mr Aneke said that securing pipelines, flow stations, offshore platforms, and other key assets was vital to Nigeria’s economic stability and central to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He said the air force remained committed to supporting NNPC in curbing oil theft, protecting investments, and enhancing national revenue. Mr Aneke said improved synergy among security agencies had already reduced oil theft, adding that the Air Force was scaling up its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations to detect and counter emerging threats.
He also highlighted NAF’s strengthened maritime security posture, noting that aligning operations with NNPC’s priorities would ensure uninterrupted energy supply and increased production. Mr Aneke reaffirmed the NAF’s resolve to support NNPCL in protecting national resources and tackling criminal networks undermining the country’s energy sector. Responding, Mr Ojulari commended the NAF for its sustained support, saying the renewed partnership was crucial to boosting energy security, stabilising production, and improving the safety of industry operations. He assured that NNPC would expand cooperation with the Air Force in intelligence sharing, joint planning, and the deployment of modern security technology across vulnerable assets.