TheCable

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the air component of ‘Operation Delta Safe’ has destroyed several illegal oil refining sites and barges laden with stolen crude oil products across Rivers state.

In a statement on Wednesday, Edward Gabkwet, NAF director of public relations and information, said the sites and barges destroyed were discovered between Monday and Tuesday at Bille, Dariama, Elem Bekinkiri, Temakiri, Opumakiri and Degema in Rivers.

He said a barge filled with illegal refined products was seem meandering through the creeks at Bille, and was subsequently struck.

He added that at Dariama and Tumakiri, active illegal refining sites with reservoirs and cooking pots were identified and subsequently engaged and destroyed.

“Illegal oil refining sites at Elem Bekinkiri and Opumakiri were, however, observed to consist of abandoned IRS,” the statement reads.

“At Degema, several active illegal refining sites with reservoirs filled with illegally refined products were observed and engaged accordingly, setting them ablaze.

“It is pertinent to note that some of the illegal refining sites at Bille and Dariama have been destroyed in the past but were reactivated.

“Accordingly, the NAF and other security agencies will continue to intensify efforts at discovering and disrupting the activities of the oil thieves operating in the region and beyond.”