THE Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced the destruction of 13 illegal refining sites and ten overhead tanks to combat the activities of oil thieves and economic saboteurs engaged in illegally rupturing oil pipelines and siphoning crude oil and its derivatives.
In a statement, the Director of Public Relations and Information for the Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, reported that operations conducted along the Imo River near Obuzor and Okoloma uncovered several active illegal refining sites exploiting the challenging terrain to carry out their illicit activities.
The statement further noted that the Nigerian Air Force successfully destroyed 13 sites after deploying onboard weapons from its aircraft.
Additionally, ten overhead tanks connected to reservoirs, along with numerous gallons of illegally refined products, were eliminated during the operation.
“As efforts intensify to hinder the actions of oil thieves and economic saboteurs engaging in the illegal acts of rupturing oil pipelines and siphoning crude oil or its products, the continual emergence of illegal oil refining sites necessitates urgent action. Accordingly, the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe has enhanced its patrol frequency, especially in the Niger Delta region, to locate and dismantle these illegal operations.
“In what has been described as one of its most effective missions along the Imo River near Obuzor and Okoloma, several active refining sites were located. These 13 sites were subsequently destroyed with the use of aircraft weaponry. Additionally, many overhead tanks connected to reservoirs and several gallons of illegally refined products were also destroyed.”
The statement continued by mentioning that during a downstream patrol, the crew spotted a six-tire tipper truck along the riverbank, with four canoes loading illegal products into the truck.
The statement further revealed that “On the same day, while extending their patrol downstream, the crew identified a six-tire tipper truck along the riverbank with four canoes seen loading illegal products into it. Following a detailed scan of the area and witnessing the criminals dispersing in chaos upon spotting the aircraft, the truck and canoes were attacked and destroyed. The crew then continued their surveillance over the Trans Niger Pipeline from Rumuekpe-Nkpoku to Bonny, covering various points, including the End Point, Bodo trunk line, Small line attachment, Nkpoku-New Ebubu Trunkline, and Rumuekpe-Nkpoku line, where no unusual activities were detected.”
