The Nigerian air force says it carried out strikes on illegal oil refining sites in the Niger Delta region on Sunday.
The force said it had destroyed several illegal sites in oil-rich Rivers state and also targeted a boat that was loaded with crude oil and headed for the open waters.
Nigeria has been cracking down on oil thieves in the Niger Delta, burning crude-laden ships and small illegal refineries, but aerial bombardments are uncommon.
Most of the illegal oil refineries tend to be located in the creeks away from communities but environmentalists have condemned the continual burning of the refineries.
Illegal crude vessels that have been seized in the past by a private security contractor have also been burned by authorities, with the crude intact.
Sunday's attacks coincided with a visit of defence and oils chiefs to Rivers state, where Nigeria’s National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu said the country was losing 400,000 barrels of crude daily to thieves.
Latest Stories
-
Will Ghana’s democracy stand the test of time in the 2024 elections?
35 mins -
Hindsight: Dreams fairytale run proved one thing; it is possible
2 hours -
God makes rulers, not you; you can’t choose your successor – Mahama to Akufo-Addo
3 hours -
Contributors own SSNIT, they must decide who becomes its Director-General – Austin Gamey
4 hours -
Move away from theory-based learning towards practical learning approaches – AUCC President to students
4 hours -
Haaland scores as Manchester City beat Nottingham Forest
5 hours -
Villas-Boas elected Porto president
5 hours -
Situation on frontline has worsened, Ukraine army chief says
5 hours -
US doctor describes witnessing starvation in northern Gaza
5 hours -
CAFCC: RS Berkane make final after USM Alger refused to play 2nd leg over Moroccans’ jersey
5 hours -
Elon Musk in China to discuss enabling full self driving
5 hours -
PSG clinch Ligue 1 title after Lyon’s win over Monaco
8 hours -
Guinness Ghana sets the pace at Ghana Beverage Awards with six awards
8 hours -
Burkina Faso suspends BBC, VOA radio broadcasts over killings coverage
8 hours -
Nicole Kidman honoured with AFI Life Achievement Award
8 hours