The Air Component of Operation Delta Safe of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has destroyed two illegal refining sites situated along the banks of the Imo River in Imo State.

NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Edward Gabkwet, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, June 9, 2024.

Gabkwet said the operation was conducted after the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, had discussions with Abia State Governor Alex Otti on plans to set up a NAF Base in the state on Saturday, June 8.

He said the illegal sites were located near Obiaku and in close proximity to the Imo-Abia-Rivers borders.

According to him, the sites consist of two tanks and a reservoir in one location and three tanks and two reservoirs in another location along the Imo Riverbank.

Military destroys illegal refineries, boats in Rivers

The NAF spokesman nored: “Observing that these sites were active, authorisation was sought and received for air strikes on the targets.

“Subsequently, air strikes by the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe were conducted, which destroyed the two sites as well as the surface tanks and reservoirs.

“Building on these successes, air operations under Operation Delta Safe will be intensified, especially within the areas of interest, as part of efforts to curtail the activities of criminal elements.

“The successes recorded in destroying these IRS bring to fore the necessity of a NAF Base in Abia, which Governor Otti and Air Marshal Abubakar both agreed was long overdue.”

Gabkwet added that NAF’s continued efforts in all ongoing operations underscored its commitment to maintaining aerial dominance over the Nigerian skies while collaborating with surface forces towards the safety and security of the citizens.

The Star