The Air Component of Operation Delta Safe has destroyed illegal oil refining sites and barges ladened with stolen crude oil products discovered between 25th and 26th of March at Bille, Dariama, Elem Bekinkiri, Temakiri, Opumakiri and Degema in Rivers State.
At Bille, a barge filled with illegal refined products was observed meandering through the creeks and subsequently struck, while at Dariama and Tumakiri, active illegal refining sites with reservoirs and cooking pots were identified to be active and subsequently engaged and destroyed.
Illegal oil refining sites at Elem Bekinkiri and Opumakiri were however, observed to consist of abandoned Illegal Refining Sites.
At Degema, several active illegal refining sites with reservoirs filled with illegally refined products were observed and engaged accordingly, setting them ablaze.
A statement by Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet notes that some of the illegal refining sites at Bille and Dariama have been destroyed in the past, but have been re-activated.
The statement assures that the NAF and other security agencies will continue to intensify efforts at discovering and disrupting the activities of the oil thieves operating in the Niger Delta region and beyond.
PR/Usman Sani.
