The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reported that, on December 23, the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe successfully obliterated six illegal oil refining sites located in Opu Arugbana, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Edward Gabkwet, the spokesperson for NAF, made this announcement in a statement released on Tuesday in Abuja. Gabkwet, an air commodore, explained that the air strikes were part of the ongoing efforts to eliminate the activities of oil thieves and oil pipeline vandals in the Niger Delta region.
The unauthorized sites were identified in close proximity within an approximately 80-meter radius at a location about 6 nautical miles south of Opu Arugbana. Once their activity was confirmed, authorization was granted to destroy the six sites, aiming to discourage criminals from engaging in illegal practices.
Gabkwet emphasized that, despite the festive season, air operations against criminal activities in the Niger Delta and other parts of the country are persisting without interruption. Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, the Chief of Air Staff, expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Air Component Commanders across all theaters of operation. Abubakar, spending Christmas Day with troops in the North-east and currently in Katsina to engage with troops, urged them to remain vigilant until criminal activities are significantly reduced.