As part of intensified efforts to combat the activities of oil thieves and economic saboteurs, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has successfully destroyed 13 illegal refining sites and ten overhead tanks involved in the illicit siphoning of crude oil and its products. The NAF’s recent operations were conducted along the Imo River near Obuzor and Okoloma, where several active illegal refining sites were uncovered. These sites, strategically located in challenging terrains, were found to be exploiting the difficult geography to carry out their illegal operations.
According to a statement by Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Air Force, the operation involved the deployment of aircraft equipped with advanced weaponry to target and destroy the illegal refining sites. In addition to the 13 sites, the NAF also neutralized ten overhead tanks connected to reservoirs and numerous gallons used in the illegal refining process. This decisive action is part of the broader efforts by the Nigerian military to disrupt the activities of those who threaten the country’s economic stability through the illegal exploitation of its natural resources.
The statement further detailed that during the operation, the NAF crew extended their patrol downstream, where they identified a six-tyre tipper truck and four canoes along the riverbank. These were observed loading illegal products into the truck. Upon sighting the NAF aircraft, the criminals fled in disarray, but the truck and canoes were subsequently destroyed after a thorough scan of the area. This operation underscores the NAF’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s resources and deterring criminal activities that undermine the nation’s economy.
PRESS RELEASE
13 ILLEGAL REFINING SITES, 10 OVERHEAD TANKS, TIPPER TRUCK DESTROYED BY AIR STRIKES NEAR OBUZOR AND OKOLOMA
Even as efforts have been ramped up to curtail the activities of oil thieves and economic saboteurs in their illegal and nefarious acts of bursting oil pipelines and siphoning crude oil or its products, the rate at which illegal oil refining sites continue to spring up require drastic measures. In line with this, the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe has increased its rate of patrol, especially within the Niger Delta region, with the aim of locating illegal oil refining sites and destroying them. 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. 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. In all 13 illegal sites, 10 overhead tanks and several gallons of illegally refined products were effectively destroyed.
Same day, while the crew extended their patrol down stream, 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 siting 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.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has since commended the Air Component for their commitment and resolve to diminish the activities of oil thieves in the Niger Delta Region.
Edward Gabkwet
Air Vice Marshal
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force
11 August 2024
