By: Manoah Kikekon
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| NAF Aircraft [Photo credit Dataphite] |
Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has said airstrikes conducted by the air component of Operation Delta Safe destroyed 13 illegal refining installations.
In a statement released on Sunday, NAF spokesman AVM Edward Gabkwet claimed the operation destroyed 10 overhead tanks and numerous gallons of illegally refined products.
He stated that the airstrikes were part of attempts to curb the operations of oil thieves and economic saboteurs who engage in illegal and criminal acts such as breaking oil pipelines and syphoning crude oil.
Mr Gabkwet stated that the air component has boosted its patrol rate, particularly in the Niger Delta region, with the goal of discovering and destroying illegal oil refining plants.
"During one of its most effective operations along the Imo River, near Obuzor and Okoloma, approximately 13 active illegal refining plants were located.
"These sites were later destroyed by the crew using the weaponry on board the aircraft.
"Several overhead tanks connected to reservoirs, as well as thousands of gallons, were also damaged in the process.
"In all, 13 illegal sites, 10 overhead tanks and several gallons of illegally refined products were effectively destroyed," he told reporters.
Mr Gabkwet stated that the crew also noticed a truck down the riverbed with four boats packing illegal merchandise.
According to him, after conducting a thorough search of the area and witnessing the criminals scatter in disorder upon seeing the aircraft, the truck and canoes were assaulted and destroyed.
He said the crew continued to patrol the Trans Niger Pipeline from Rumuekpe-Nkpoku to Bonny.
"The patrol crew covered End Point, Bodo trunk line, Point, Small line attachment, Nkpoku-New Ebubu Trunkline, and Rumuekpe-Nkpoku line, but no odd activity was detected.
"The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has commended the Air Component for its commitment to diminishing the activities of oil thieves in the Niger Delta Region," added the commander.
(NAN)