The Nigerian Air Force announced on Sunday that it had successfully destroyed 13 illegal refining sites and seven Cotonou boats during a recent operation in Rivers State, News About Nigeria reports.
The operation, part of the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe, also dispersed several J-5 buses attempting to syphon suspected crude oil products from surface tanks.
In a statement released by Air Vice Marshall Edward Gabkwet, the Director of Public Relations and Information for the Nigerian Air Force, the details of the operation were outlined.
The statement read, “Between 18-22 June 2024, the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe destroyed 13 illegal refining sites and 7 Cotonou boats as well as dispersed five J-5 buses attempting to siphon suspected crude oil products from surface tanks.”
During the operation on June 18, several illegal sites were discovered near the Imo River.
These sites included seven overhead tanks, which were subsequently destroyed. The operation also witnessed several suspected bunkers fleeing the scene.
A separate operation conducted on June 19 in Wilcourt, Rivers State, resulted in the destruction of an illegal site, a canoe filled with crude oil, and some gunboats.
Additionally, following intelligence reports about illegal refining sites approximately 6 kilometers from Tunu in Bayelsa State, aircrew identified and destroyed these sites with precision.
One of the strikes occurred on June 22, when the air component spotted five J5 buses, likely reconfigured into mini tankers, at the bank of the Imo River attempting to syphon illegally refined products.
The crew destroyed the illegal refining sites feeding the buses, which were later seen dispersed, with some taking cover under trees to avoid detection.
Gabkwet attributed the success of these operations to improved intelligence, enhanced air-to-ground coordination, and the Nigerian Air Force’s increased agility and resilience.
He stated, “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. These operations will be sustained until the activities of these saboteurs are reduced to the barest minimum.”
