The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, YEAC-Nigeria, has condemned the alleged shooting of innocent citizens and destruction of businesses by the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, in Umuebele 3, Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The organisation expressed shock over the incident, which reportedly occurred on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.
According to reports, personnel of the Air Force stormed the business premises of one Barine Friday, who refines palm wine into local gin, popularly known as “kai-kai,” destroying equipment used for his trade and firing shots before leaving the scene.
It is alleged that NAF personnel carried out the action, thinking the premises is being used to illegally refine crude oil.
Executive Director of YEAC-Nigeria, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, said in a statement on Wednesday that the report was brought to the organisation’s attention by members of its Youth Volunteers Network under the “One Million Youth Volunteers Network of Human Rights Defenders and Promoters in the Niger Delta.”
Fyneface described the incident as reminiscent of a recent bombing in Tai Local Government Area, where the Air Force allegedly destroyed a palm oil mill after mistaking it for an illegal crude oil refinery.
He lamented that despite the earlier mistake, the Nigerian Air Force failed to exercise due caution in this latest operation, noting that residents of Umuebele 3 are predominantly farmers and artisans who depend on palm wine tapping, farming, and local gin production for their livelihoods.
While preliminary findings indicate that no lives were lost, YEAC-Nigeria said the attack had caused significant destruction to the economic activities of the affected residents.
He said, “It is disheartening to note that despite this previous mistake, the Nigerian Air Force failed to exercise caution and due diligence in this latest incident.
“The people of Umuebele 3, Etche Local Government Area and visitors resident in the area are predominantly farmers and artisans who depend on farming, palm wine tapping and local gin production among others for their livelihoods.
“The actions of the Nigerian Air Force have not only caused harm to these innocent citizens but have also destroyed their means of survival, although no life was allegedly lost, pending further investigations and visits to the area for assessment of damages.”
The organisation called for a thorough investigation and an immediate assessment of the destruction caused.
It also demanded that the Nigerian Air Force conduct an on-site inspection, adequately compensate the victims, and refrain from carrying out further bombings in the Niger Delta without proper intelligence and verification.
YEAC-Nigeria reaffirmed its solidarity with the Umuebele 3 community and pledged to continue advocating for their rights and protection.
