Thirteen illegal refining sites were destroyed by the Nigerian Air Force on Sunday.
The exercise was carried out by the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe.
According to Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information in a statement, the success followed the increased rate of patrol by the Airforce, especially within the Niger Delta region.
” In arguably one of its most successful operations conducted along the Imo River near Obuzor and Okoloma, several active illegal refining sites were discovered to be taking advantage of the difficult terrain to perpetrate their illegalities,” the statement said.
“These sites, about 13 in number, were subsequently destroyed after the crew employed the weapons on board the aircraft. Several overhead tanks connected to reservoirs as well as numerous gallons were also destroyed in the process.
“Same day, while the crew extended their patrol downstream, they spotted a 6-tyre tipper truck along the riverbank with 4 canoes seen loading illegal products into the truck. After a thorough scan of the area and observing the criminals dispersed in disarray upon sighting the aircraft, the truck as well as the canoes, were attacked and destroyed.
“The crew then continued their patrol over the Trans Niger Pipeline from Rumuekpe-Nkpoku to Bonny, which included the following points: End Point, Bodo trunk line, Point, Small line attachment, Nkpoku-New Ebubu Trunkline and Rumuekpe-Nkpoku line with no unusual activity observed.”
