The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Monday announced that its aircraft have destroyed two illegal refining sites along Imo Rivers, Rivers State.
NAF Deputy Director Public Relations and Information, Group Captain Kabiru Ali, in a statement said that the air strikes, which were conducted in two separate missions along the Imo River, destroyed 12 IRS tanks, along with several jerrycans and other equipment around Owaza, Obuzor, Osuaku, and Obiaku.
According to the statement: “As part of its intensified efforts to curb crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta, the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe executed air interdiction missions in Rivers State on 13 September 2024. Conducted in two separate missions, the missions targeted specific sites along the Imo River, including the areas of Owaza, Uzaku, Obuzor, Osuaku, and Obiaku.
“In the first mission, NAF aircraft were assigned to provide Close Air Support to ground troops near the Imo River. Due to a discrepancy between the initial coordinates and the troops’ updated location, the aircrew proceeded to conduct Armed Reconnaissance (AR) in the areas of Owaza and Uzaku. During this operation, they identified an active illegal refining site at Uzaku. The site was immediately engaged, resulting in the destruction of four IRS tanks and two canoes.
“In a second mission, originally intended to support troops northwest of Umuahia, adverse weather conditions forced the crew to divert and conduct further AR around the Obuzor section of the Imo River. During this mission, 12 IRS tanks, along with several jerrycans and other equipment used by the criminals were destroyed around Owaza, Obuzor, Osuaku, and Obiaku.
“The NAF will continue to conduct air operations against the activities of oil thieves and other criminals in the Niger Delta and in support of ground forces across the region. The need for law-abiding citizens to key into the efforts of security agencies to deter the activities of these economic saboteurs would go a long way in checkmating their activities.”