The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), on Sunday, said the Air Component of Joint Task Force South South, Operation Delta Safe, discovered and dismantled no fewer than 13 illegal refining sites in Rivers, Bayelsa, and Imo states, during coordinated air raid operations in its area of responsibility.
Last week, the DHQ, disclosed that its troops deployed to Niger Delta, recovered 1,099,860 litres of stolen crude oil, 1,101,700 litres of illegally refined AGO, 27350 litres of DPK and 150 litres of PMS during anti oil theft operations.
It also revealed that no fewer than 105 illegal refining sites were also discovered and deactivated, while an estimated sum of One Billion, Eight Hundred and Sixty Million, One Hundred and Fifty One Thousand Seven Hundred Naira, was equally denied the oil thieves, within the week under review by the Joint Task Force South South, Operation Delta Safe.
Also, on 17, June 2024, air strikes by the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji, also killed more than 80 terrorists hibernating at a hideout location at Gidan Kare Village of Ruwan Godiya Ward in Faskare Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina State.
A statement by Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, AVM Edward Gabkwet, also disclosed that seven Cotonou boats, and five J-5 buses, used by economic saboteurs to siphon crude oil were also uncovered and dismantled through price airstrikes.
“Between 18-22 June 2024, the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe has destroyed 13 illegal refining sites and 7 Cotonou boats as well as dispersed 5 x J-5 buses attempting to siphon suspected crude oil products from surface tanks. Some of the illegal sites were discovered near Imo River on 18 June 2024 with 7 overhead tanks, which were subsequently destroyed while several suspected bunkerers were seen fleeing. Air strikes were also extended to Wilcourt in Rivers State on 19 June 2024 after an illegal site and canoe filled with illegally refined products, as well as some gun boats, were seen. Similarly, following Intelligence of some illegal refining sites located about 6km from Tunu in Bayelsa State, the aircrew proceeded to the location to identify and destroy the site, a task carried out with the utmost precision,” Gabkwet said.
The NAF Spokesperson, also revealed that another significant strike undertaken by the air component was carried out on 22 June 2024, when the crew spotted five x J5 buses, probably reconfigured into mini tankers, at the bank of Imo River attempting to siphon illegally refined products.
“Amazed at this change of tactics by these economic saboteurs, the crew did not hesitate to immediately destroy the illegal refining sites feeding the buses.The J5 buses were later seen dispersed with some taking cover under trees to avoid detection,” the statement further revealed.
Gabkwet noted that air strikes against economic saboteurs and oil thieves have continued to record the expected outcomes majorly due to improved intelligence, enhanced air to ground coordination, and most importantly, due to NAF’s improved agility and resilience.
He assured that these operations will be sustained until the activities of these saboteurs are reduced to the barest minimum.
Ikechukwu Aleke
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