The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, reported that the Air Component of “Operation Delta Safe” successfully obliterated numerous illegal oil refining sites and barges carrying stolen crude oil products in various locations across Rivers.
Read Also: Insecurity: NAF airstrikes successfully target and neutralize terrorists on 15 motorcycles in Kaduna
AVM Edward Gabkwet, the Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF, disclosed in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja that the sites and barges were discovered between Monday and Tuesday in Bille, Dariama, Elem Bekinkiri, Temakiri, Opumakiri, and Degema in Rivers.
He mentioned that a barge loaded with illegal refined products was spotted navigating through the creeks at Bille and was subsequently destroyed.
Gabkwet further explained that at Dariama and Tumakiri, they identified active illegal refining sites equipped with reservoirs and cooking pots, which were then engaged and demolished.
Additionally, illegal oil refining sites at Elem Bekinkiri and Opumakiri were found to contain abandoned IRS, while at Degema, several active illegal refining sites with reservoirs filled with illegally refined products were discovered and set ablaze.
He emphasized the importance of continuous efforts by NAF and other security agencies to uncover and disrupt the operations of oil thieves in the region and beyond.
