The Nigerian Airforce (NAF) has said its Air Component of Operation Delta Safe has destroyed 13 illegal refining sites and 10 overhead tanks in one of its most successful operations conducted along the Imo River near Obuzor and Okoloma, in the Niger Delta region.
In a statement Sunday, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, said several overhead tanks connected to reservoirs as well as numerous gallons of illegally refined products were destroyed during the airstrike.
The Air Component of Operation Delta Safe has increased its rate of patrol, especially within the Niger Delta region, with the aim of locating illegal oil refining sites and destroying them.
In arguably one of its most successful operations conducted along the Imo River near Obuzor and Okoloma, several active illegal refining sites were discovered to be taking advantage of the difficult terrain to perpetrate their illegalities.
These sites, about 13 in number, were subsequently destroyed after the crew deployed the weapons onboard the aircraft.
Several overhead tanks connected to reservoirs as well as numerous gallons were also destroyed in the process; in all, 13 illegal sites, 10 overhead tanks and several gallons of illegally refined products were effectively destroyed.
“Same day, while the crew extended their patrol down stream, they spotted a six-tyre tipper truck along the riverbank with 4 canoes seen loading illegal products into the truck.
After a thorough scan of the area and observing the criminals dispersed in disarray upon sighting the aircraft, the truck as well as the canoes were attacked and destroyed.
The crew then continued their patrol over the Trans Niger Pipeline from Rumuekpe-Nkpoku to Bonny, which included the following points: End Point, Bodo trunk line, Point, Small line attachment, Nkpoku-New Ebubu Trunkline and Rumuekpe-Nkpoku line with no unusual activity observed.
“The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has since commended the Air Component for their commitment and resolve to diminish the activities of oil thieves in the Niger Delta Region,” Gabkwet stated.
