The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) said the air component of Operation Delta Safe destroyed two Cotonou boats sighted at Arugbana near Okrika in Rivers State on November 28, 2023.
NAF said the air strike also destroyed an active illegal refining site with equipment and reservoirs loaded with illegal products at Yellow Island, near Bonny Island in Rivers State.
This was contained in a statement by Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information.
“Similar strikes were also conducted on November 27, 2023, at a location southeast of Abisse in Rivers State. At the location, an active illegal refining site was sighted, concealed with reservoirs and a storage tank suspected to contain illegally refined products.
“The reservoirs and storage tanks were then engaged and destroyed. Another location northwest of Omama was also struck as it was observed to contain items suspected to contain stolen crude oil in objects tied in sacks.
“Subsequent reconnaissance flights over Cawthorne Channel, Bille, Dariama, Okrika, Bonny Island, and Idama revealed a retinue of destroyed and abandoned illegal refining sites.
“These sites remain inactive, an indication that the measures being employed may be yielding the expected outcome. Either way, the air component of Operation Delta Safe will continue to carry out its assigned duties until the activities of these saboteurs are completely halted or reduced to the barest minimum,” the statement affirmed.
NAF intensifies air strikes against economic saboteurs in South-South