The air component of Operation Delta Safe has successfully eliminated an active Illegal Refining Site (IRS) replete with equipment and illicit product-laden reservoirs at Yellow Island near Bonny Island in Rivers State. Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the spokesperson for the Air Force, disclosed that two Cotonou boats discovered near Okrika in Arugbana were also eradicated during the operation. Emphasizing an unwavering commitment to combating economic saboteurs and oil theft in the South-South region, Gabkwet declared that the air strikes would persist.
The official statement conveyed, “On November 27, 2023, similar strikes were executed at a location Southeast of Abisse in Rivers state. At this site, an active IRS concealed with reservoirs and a storage tank suspected of containing illegally refined products was identified. The reservoirs and storage tanks were subsequently engaged and destroyed. Another location Northwest of Omama was also targeted, revealing items suspected to contain stolen crude oil enclosed in objects tied in sacks.”
Gabkwet further disclosed that subsequent reconnaissance flights over Cawthorne Channel, Bille, Dariama, Okrika, Bonny Island, and Idama unveiled a series of illegal refining sites that had been annihilated and abandoned by the Air Component.
