Six illicit oil refining plants were destroyed by precision airstrikes carried out by the Nigerian Air Force’s Air Component of Operation Delta Safe in Degema, Rivers, in a decisive action against unauthorized oil refining activities.
On December 23, 2023, the operation was carried out, focusing on and destroying active unlawful sites that were within an 80-meter radius.
Before permission to demolish them was secured, it was established that the illicit installations, which are situated roughly 6 nautical miles south of Opu Arugbana and are grouped within an 80-meter radius, were operational.
Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, a spokesman for the NAF, stated in a statement that the strategic effort’s goals are to stop illicit oil refining operations and deter criminals from partaking in such illicit activities.
Part of the statement read, ”In continuation of efforts to rid the Niger Delta Region of activities of oil thieves and oil pipeline vandals, air strikes by the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe, on 23 December 2023, destroyed 6 illegal oil refining sites in Opu Arugbana in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers.
”The illegal sites were sighted clustered within a radius of about 80 metres at a location about 6 nautical miles south of Opu Arugbana.
”The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, who spent the Christmas day with troops in the Northeast and currently in Katsina to fete troops of Operation Hadarin Daji, has commended the efforts of the Air Component Commanders in all the theatres of operation while calling on them not to rest until criminal activities are reduced to the barest minimum.”
”Having been confirmed to be active, authorization was obtained to destroy the 6 sites, thus discouraging the criminals from continuing with their acts of illegality.
”Despite the festive season, air operations against criminals in the Niger Delta and other parts of the country continue unabated.
