The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) announced on Sunday that its Air Component of Operation Delta Safe has successfully destroyed 13 illegal refining sites, 10 overhead tanks, and several gallons of illegally refined products near Obuzor and Okoloma in the Niger Delta region.
This information was disclosed in a statement by Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, which was made available to Defence Correspondents in Abuja.
The statement highlighted the increasing efforts to curtail the activities of oil thieves and economic saboteurs, who are involved in busting oil pipelines and siphoning crude oil or its derivatives. Despite these efforts, the persistent emergence of illegal oil refining sites demands drastic measures.
“In response to this challenge, the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe has intensified its patrols, particularly within the Niger Delta region, with the objective of locating and destroying illegal oil refining sites,” the statement read.
The operation, described as one of the most successful conducted along the Imo River near Obuzor and Okoloma, uncovered numerous active illegal refining sites taking advantage of the difficult terrain to continue their illicit activities. A total of 13 illegal sites were discovered and subsequently destroyed using the weapons on board the NAF aircraft. In addition, 10 overhead tanks connected to reservoirs and numerous gallons containing illegally refined products were also destroyed.
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On the same day, during an extended patrol downstream, the NAF crew spotted a six-tyre tipper truck along the riverbank, with four canoes loading illegal products into the truck. Upon sighting the aircraft, the criminals dispersed in disarray, and the truck along with the canoes were attacked and destroyed.
The crew continued their patrol over the Trans Niger Pipeline from Rumuekpe-Nkpoku to Bonny, which included key points such as the End Point, Bodo trunk line, Small line attachment, Nkpoku-New Ebubu Trunkline, and Rumuekpe-Nkpoku line. No unusual activity was observed during this patrol.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, commended the Air Component for their commitment and determination to reduce the activities of oil thieves in the Niger Delta region.
