The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Sunday announced that its airstrikes destroyed two Illegal Refining Sites (IRS) along the banks of Imo River.
The Imo River, originating in Okigwe Imo State, flows 240 kilometres through other States of Eastern Nigeria into the Atlantic Ocean.
The airstrikes, executed by the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe, struck the illegal sites located near Obiaku and in close proximity to the Imo/Abia/Rivers States borders.
According to a statement by NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, AVM Edward Gabkwet, what was destroyed by the airstrikes “consisted of two tanks and a reservoir in one location and three tanks and two reservoirs in another location along the Imo Riverbank.”
The full statement by AVM Gabkwet reads: “Barely hours after the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, conferred with Governor Alex Otti of Abia State on the setting up of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base in Abia State, the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe, on 7 June 2024, successfully destroyed 2 Illegal Refining Sites (IRS) situated along the banks of Imo River.
“The illegal sites, located near Obiaku and in close proximity to the Imo/Abia/Rivers States borders, consisted of 2 tanks and a reservoir in one location and 3 tanks and 2 reservoirs in another location along the Imo Riverbank.
“Observing that these sites were active, authorization was sought and received for air strikes on the targets. Subsequently, air strikes by the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe were conducted, which destroyed the 2 sites as well as the surface tanks and reservoirs.
“Building on these successes, air operations under Operation Delta Safe will be intensified especially within the areas of interest in efforts at curtailing the activities of criminal elements.
“The successes recorded in destroying these IRS brings to fore the necessity of a NAF Base in Abia State, which Governor Otti and Air Marshal Abubakar both agreed was long overdue.
“The NAF’s continued efforts in all ongoing operations, yet again, underscore its commitment to maintaining aerial dominance over the Nigerian skies, while collaborating with surface forces towards the safety and security of Nigeria and its citizenry.”