The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has continued to intensify its war against oil theft in the country by bombing several illegal facilities operated by the economic saboteurs in the Abia and Rivers States respectively.
The Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, AVM Edward Gabkwet, who revealed this in a press release on Sunday, in Abuja, said that the Force’s Operation Delta Safe destroyed 12 illegal refining sites and two reservoirs through airstrikes in the affected states.
Gabkwet further revealed that an armed reconnaissance undertaken by NAF aircraft had exposed several illegal refining sites situated within some fenced households at Umueze in Abia State.
Consequently, he said, the information was relayed to ground troops for further exploitation and necessary action. The illegal refining sites, which were subsequently destroyed, were hidden under thick vegetation around Owaza.
“Thereafter,” he continued, “the crew followed the river line down to Komkom and Okoloma in Rivers State, where nine illegal refining sites and two reservoirs were discovered and destroyed.
“In total, 12 illegal refining sites and two reservoirs were destroyed.
“The sighting of illegal refining sites in fenced living environments is indicative of the sophistry of the illegal oil refining trade that would require other means beyond air strikes to checkmate.”
While assuring that the air Force will not relent in its war against illegal ‘refineries’, he said whoever is caught in the act will be dealt with in accord with the law.
He warned those living in fenced living environments that such illegal activities were dangerous to human lives and inimical to health as well as the environment.
“Be that as it may, armed reconnaissance missions as well as destruction of illegal refining sites will continue unabated until crude oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage are reduced to the barest minimum,” he said.