The Air Component of Operation Delta Safe, Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has destroyed six illegal oil refining sites in Opu Arugbana in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Director, Public Relations and Information of NAF, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, on Tuesday, December 26, 2023.

Gabkwet said the air strikes on December 23 were in continuation of efforts to rid the Niger Delta region of activities of oil thieves and oil pipeline vandals.

He said the illegal oil refining sites were sighted clustered within a radius of about 80 metres at a location about six nautical miles south of Opu Arugbana.

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He stated: “Having been confirmed to be active, authorisation was obtained to destroy the six sites, thus discouraging the criminals from continuing with their acts of illegality.

“In spite of the festive season, air operations against criminals in the Niger Delta and other parts of the country continue unabated.

“The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, has commended the efforts of the Air Component Commanders in all the theatres of operation.

“Abubakar, who spent Christmas Day with troops in the Northeast and currently in Katsina to fete troops, called on them not to rest until criminal activities are reduced to the barest minimum.”

The Star