The Nigerian Air Force(NAF), said it’s Air Component of Operation Delta Safe have destroyed seven illegal refining sites and seized a large quantity of illegally refined products in a series of successful air strikes conducted on illegal oil refining sites in Cawthorne Channel and Bille, both located in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
NAF Director Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, who made this known, that the air strikes were part of an ongoing effort to deny oil thieves and operators of illegal oil refining sites the opportunity to burst pipelines and operate their illegal oil refineries while damaging the environment.
Gabkwet in a statement said that “in the last two months, Cawthorne Channel and Bille have accounted for the majority of oil theft and illegal oil refining activities in Rivers State.
“Within this period, over 30 illegal oil refining sites in these 2 locations have been destroyed by the Land, maritime, and Air Components of Operation Delta Safe.
He said “The Nigerian Air Force would continue to carry out such operations until all illegal oil refining activities in the Niger Delta region are stopped.
“similar air strikes were also conducted at Bille on September 16, 2023, and in the early hours of September 17, 2023.
“There, illegal oil refining sites with storage tanks and reservoirs were destroyed. While at one of the sites, a Cotonou boat suspected of syphoning crude oil from a flow station was engaged in several passes and destroyed.
The statement assured that ongoing efforts against the criminal elements would be sustained in these locations and others until oil thieves and their accomplices desist from their illegal activities.
