The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) announced that on December 23, the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe conducted operations that resulted in the destruction of six illegal oil refining sites in Opu Arugbana, located in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, disclosed this in a statement released on Tuesday in Abuja.
Gabkwet said that these air strikes were part of the ongoing efforts aimed at eliminating the presence of oil thieves and vandals in the Niger Delta region.
He added that the illegal facilities were observed concentrated within an approximate 80-meter radius, positioned around 6 nautical miles south of Opu Arugbana. Upon confirming their active status, authorization was granted to dismantle these six sites, discouraging further unlawful activities by the perpetrators.
“Despite the holiday season, our air operations against criminal activities in the Niger Delta and across the country continue without interruption,” stated Gabkwet.
In a separate event, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff, commended the dedication of the Air Component Commanders across all operational zones.
Abubakar, who celebrated Christmas with troops in the Northeast and is currently in Katsina to honor soldiers, urged them to persist until criminal activities are significantly curtailed.