Coordinated air operations in Rivers and Abia State have led to the destruction of 12 illegal refining sites and two reservoirs, the Nigeria Air Force said......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Edward Gabkwet in a statement, on Sunday, revealed that the recent operation is aimed to minimise the activities of oil thieves and other economic saboteurs in the Niger Delta.
Gabkwet said that before the air operation was executed preliminary surveillance revealed many illegal refining sites located in many fenced households at Umueze in Abia.
He said, “Thereafter, the crew followed the river line down to Komkom and Okoloma in Rivers State, where nine illegal refining sites and two reservoirs were discovered and destroyed.
“In total, 12 illegal refining sites and two reservoirs were destroyed.
”The sighting of illegal refining sites in fenced living environments is indicative of the sophistry of the illegal oil refining trade that would require other means beyond air strikes to checkmate.”
The NAF further warned that those engaging in these acts, especially in fenced living environments, should be reminded of their hazards to human lives and the environment.
“Be that as may, armed reconnaissance missions as well as destruction of illegal refining sites will continue unabated until crude oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage are reduced to the barest minimum,” he said.