By Ken Chiwendu
The Air component of Operation Delta Safe has destroyed 13 illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta.region
The Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force,Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
He said that the operation followed increased rate of patrol within the region.
According to the statement , the operation was ” inauguably one of its most successful operations conducted along the Imo River near Obuzor and Okoloma , several active illegal refineries were discovered to be taking advantage of the difficult terrain to perpetrate their illegalities “
” These sites about 13 in number were subsequently destroyed after the crew employed the weapons on board the aircraft.Several overhead tanks connected to reservoirs as well as numerous gallons were also destroyed in the process
” Same day, while the crew extended their patrol downstream, they spotted a 6- tyre tipper truck along the riverbank with 4 canoes seen loading illegal products into the truck . After a thorough scan of the area and observing the criminals dispersed in disarray, upon sighting the aircraft, the truck as well as the canoes, were attacked and destroyed.
“The crew then continued their patrol over the Trans – Niger Pipeline from Rumuekpe – Nkpoku to Bonny , which included the following points: End Point,Bodo trunk lime, Point,Small line attachment,Nkpoku – New Ebubu Trunkline and Rumuekpe – Nkpoku line with no unusual activity observed.
