NAF destroys 13 illegal refining sites in Rivers state, 7 boats
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has destroyed 13 illegal refining sites and 7 Cotonou boats in Rivers State, in an operation aimed at combating oil theft and illegal refining.
The operation, which took place between June 18-22, also dispersed 5 J-5 buses attempting to siphon suspected crude oil products from surface tanks.
According to a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshall Edward Gabkwet, the air component of Operation Delta Safe identified and destroyed the illegal sites, which were located near Imo River and Wilcourt in Rivers State. The operation also destroyed a canoe filled with crude oil and gunboats.
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Gabkwet attributed the success of the operation to improved intelligence and enhanced air-to-ground coordination, and promised that the NAF would sustain the operations until the activities of oil thieves are reduced to the barest minimum.
This is not the first time the NAF has carried out such an operation in Rivers State, having destroyed 7 illegal refining sites in April.
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