The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) High Command said on Wednesday that its aircraft under Operation Delta Safe carried out air strikes against economic saboteurs and oil thieves in the South-South region, during which an active illegal refining site (IRS) with equipment and reservoirs loaded with illegal products at Yellow Island near Bonny Island in Rivers State were totally destroyed.
This was contained in a statement made available to defence Correspondents in Abuja by the Spokesperson of the Service Air, Commodore Edward Gabkwet.
The statement added that the strikes, in addition, destroyed two Cotonou boats sighted at Arugbana near Okrika in Rivers State.
It further explained that similar strikes were also conducted on November 27, 2023, at a location southeast of Abisse in Rivers State.
According to it, at another location, an active IRS was sighted concealed with reservoirs and a storage tank suspected to contain illegally refined products.
“The reservoirs and storage tanks were then engaged and destroyed. Another location northwest of Omama was also struck as it was observed to contain items suspected to contain stolen crude oil in objects tied in sacks.
“Subsequent reconnaissance flights over Cawthorne Channel, Bille, Dariama, Okrika, Bonny Island, and Idama revealed a retinue of destroyed and abandoned IRS, hitherto destroyed by the Air Component.
“These sites remain inactive, an indication that the measures being employed may be yielding the expected outcome.
It assured that “either way, the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe will continue to carry out its assigned duties until the activities of these saboteurs are completely halted or reduced to the barest minimum.
