Over the course of Friday and Saturday, the air division of Nigeria’s military special task force, known as “Operation Delta Safe,” conducted airstrikes on multiple illegal oil refining sites and other hubs of economic sabotage in Rivers State.
AVM Edward Gabkwet, the Director of Public Relations and Information at the Nigerian Air Force, disclosed on Sunday in Abuja that these airstrikes significantly weakened the capabilities of oil thieves. He assured that these actions had effectively thwarted the ability of economic saboteurs to vandalize pipelines and steal crude oil.
Gabkwet reported that one illegal refining site was eradicated in Idama community, along with the destruction of four boats discovered to be loaded with illegally-refined products during reconnaissance missions.
Furthermore, active illegal refining sites in Ogbomkiri community were identified and eliminated following reconnaissance, while in Arugbana community, oil thieves attempting to set up an illegal refining site fled upon spotting approaching aircraft.
Similar operations were carried out in Samkiri community, where numerous illegal sites were detected and subsequently destroyed. Overall, Gabkwet stated that approximately seven illegal refining sites and four boats were discovered and eradicated during the two-day operation.
CREDIT: DAILY POST