By Obiabin Onukwugha
The Nigerian Airforce (NAF), has denied responsibility for the explosion on a wellhead at a facility operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPCL), which resulted in an inferno at the Bukuma/Buguma waterways in Rivers State.
The agency made the denial in a statement titled “NAF NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR WELLHEAD EXPLOSION AT BUGUMA”, by the Director Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal, Olusola Akinboyewa, on Monday, January 20.
NAF argued that contrary to the allegations made by the Buguma Community spokesperson, who speculated that the fire may been caused by aging oil facilities, illegal oil bunkering, or NAF operations, the wellhead had been leaking crude oil due to prolonged illegal activities in the area.
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The statement read in part: “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has noted with concern a misleading report by certain media outlets suggesting that the NAF may have been responsible for the explosion at the NNPC wellhead in Buguma Community, Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“The NAF categorically refutes this false and unfounded claim and urges media outlets to exercise due diligence by verifying facts before publishing, rather than relying on assumptions.”
The statement further indicated that High-definition (HD) video recordings from the NAF platform, including footage from December 2024, clearly show the wellhead spilling oil and the barge already burnt before its arrival at the location.
“It is also important to note that the NAF ensures due diligence before engaging any target, so that only illegal refining sites and equipment are destroyed. The safety of innocent civilians and the protection of critical infrastructure remain a top priority for the Service.
“Accordingly, the public may rest assured that the NAF remains steadfast in its mission to protect the nation’s critical infrastructure and combat crude oil theft, while upholding the highest standards of professionalism and respect for human life,” the statement stressed.
