The Nigerian Air Force (NAF)’s Air Component of Operation Delta Safe has destroyed 13 illegal refining sites and seven Cotonou boats in Rivers, Bayelsa and Imo states.
The Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, AVM Edward Gabkwet, said yesterday in Abuja, that the air interdictions conducted between June 18 and June 22, also dispersed five J-5 buses attempting to siphon suspected crude oil products from surface tanks.
He said some of the illegal sites were discovered near Imo River on June 18 with seven overhead tanks, which were later destroyed while several suspected bunkerers fled.
According to him, air strikes were also extended to Wilcourt in Rivers on June 19, after an illegal site and canoe filled with illegally refined products as well as some gun boats.
Gabkwet said the air crew also destroyed some illegal refining sites at about 6-km from Tunu in Bayelsa.
He said the air component undertook another significant strike on June 22, when the crew spotted 5xJ5 buses, probably reconfigured into mini tankers at the bank of Imo River attempting to siphon illegally refined products.
“Amazed at this change of tactics by these economic saboteurs, the crew did not hesitate to destroy the illegal refining sites feeding the buses.
“The J5 buses were later seen dispersed with some taking cover under trees to avoid detection.
“Air strikes against economic saboteurs and oil thieves have continued to record the expected outcomes.
“This is majorly due to improved intelligence, enhanced air to ground coordination, and most importantly, due to NAF’s improved agility and resilience,’’ he added.
“These operations will be sustained until activities of these saboteurs are reduced to the barest minimum,” he said.
has destroyed 13 illegal refining sites and seven Cotonou boats in Rivers, Bayelsa and Imo.
Also, the Nigerian Army’s Operation Udoka in the Southeast have recovered 14 boats and several drums of crude oil from oil bunkerers at Isimini Waterside, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division of the Nigerian Army Enugu, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, who led the operation near an oil flo station in the Ukwa West LGA, told our correspondent that troops acting on intelligence, laid siege on the bunkerers for five days before eventually catching up with them.
According to Dada, six suspects were apprehended and handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) for further interrogations and prosecution.
The GOC, who was flanked by the Brigade Commander, 14 Brigade Nigerian Army, Ohafia, Brig.-Gen. Olusola Diya, told reporters at the creek that eight of the seized boats were large Cotonu boats while others were small ones..
Gen. Diya said: “Based on intelligence, we waited for them here for five days until yesterday (Thursday) when they came to get crude oil from the pipeline, then we moved in and recovered 14 boats, some with crude oil.
“They sank some of the boats and that is why, if you look very well, you will see oil floating there on the water. But any moment from now, we are going to destroy the boats in line with the standing operational procedure.
“We are going to get to the root of the matter. We know the person in charge of this location and he is on the run, but definitely, we will get him.
“The Nigerian Army will not in any way tolerate any form of sabotage to the economy of this country. They are more of a cartel, and a lot of scrupulous people are actually involved.
“They take the stolen oil to the high sea and sell to the enemies of the country at ridiculous.’’
