According to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe demolished six illicit oil refining facilities in Opu Arugbana, Degema Local Government Area, Rivers, on December 23.
Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, made this announcement on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to Gabkwet, the airstrikes were part of an ongoing campaign to stop oil thieves and vandals from operating in the Niger Delta region.
He stated that the unlawful sites were observed grouped within an 80-meter radius at a point around 6 nautical miles south of Opu Arugbana.
He claimed that after being verified as operational, permission was acquired to demolish the six locations, deterring the offenders from carrying out their unlawful activities.
“Air operations against criminals in the Niger Delta and other parts of the country continue unabated despite the festive season.”
Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, the Chief of Air Staff, has praised the Air Component Commanders’ achievements throughout all theatres of operation in the meantime.
Abubakar, who is now in Katsina honouring the troops after spending Christmas Day with troops in the Northeast, urged them to keep going till criminal activity was minimised.
