The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has successfully conducted operations to destroy multiple illegal oil refining sites in Rivers State and eliminate terrorists in Niger through coordinated air strikes.
In a statement on Sunday, NAF spokesperson Edward Gabkwet highlighted the increasing sophistication of oil thieves and economic saboteurs. In response, NAF and allied security agencies have intensified their strategies to combat these illegal activities.
Gabkwet noted that perpetrators have adapted by concealing overhead tanks used to store stolen crude oil from ruptured pipelines in the Niger Delta and using fast boats to transport their illicit goods. To counter these challenges, NAF and its partners have enhanced their capabilities with modern technology and advanced hardware, enabling them to effectively detect and deter the activities of oil thieves and economic saboteurs.
The statement reiterated NAF’s commitment to protecting national resources and ensuring security in affected areas through proactive measures and strategic operations.
“In Willcourt, a riverine settlement in the Niger Delta Region, the air component of Operation Delta Safe sighted and destroyed three illegal refining sites,” Gabkwet said. He added that seven overhead tanks were concealed under thick mangrove vegetation on the site.
“About five kilometres downstream, four boats were also sighted moving southwards with suspected illegally refined products. Our men attacked and destroyed the boats. The crew also spotted a speedboat with five suspected oil thieves fleeing the area. The air component pursued the speedboat until they arrived at the blocking zone of ground troops where they were arrested,” he said.
Gabkwet explained that similar successes were recorded in the North-West region. NAF received a tip-off about terrorists hiding at Dandunu after rustling cattle from communities around the Kuchi-Kapana axis in Munya Local Government Area of Niger. NAF deployed air assets to scan the area, which led to the interception of the terrorists on nine motorcycles leading the rustled cattle.
According to Gabkwet, the motorcycle-riding terrorists were struck by the aircraft in several passes, with most of them eliminated in the process. “The feedback from locals around the location has been positive, with most of them being able to recover the rustled cattle and return to their livelihoods,” he added.
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