NAF Air strikes destroy seven illegal refining sites in Rivers

The Nigerian Air Force has reported the successful destruction of seven illegal refining sites in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the Director of Public Relations and Information for the Nigerian Air Force, confirmed this accomplishment and described it as a productive weekend of air strikes.

These operations were part of the efforts by the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe to prevent oil theft and the operation of illegal oil refining sites while safeguarding the environment.

Gabkwet said that the air strikes targeted Cawthorne Channel and Bille, both situated in the Degema Local Government.
Area of Rivers State.

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They resulted in the identification and destruction of seven illegal refining sites.

Specifically, in Cawthorne Channel, four active illegal refining sites⁷ with excavated reservoirs and surface storage tanks containing suspected illegal refined products were discovered on September 15, 2023, and subsequently demolished.

Similar air strikes took place in Bille on September 16 and the early hours of September 17, 2023.
During these operations, three illegal oil refining sites equipped with storage tanks and reservoirs were eliminated.

Additionally, one of the sites housed a cotonou boat believed to be involved in siphoning crude oil from a flow station, which was engaged and destroyed.
Gabkwet emphasized that over the past two months, Cawthorne Channel and Bille have been the primary hubs for oil theft and illegal oil refining activities in Rivers State. During this period, the Land, Maritime, and Air Components of Operation Delta Safe have jointly demolished more than 30 illegal oil refining sites in these two locations.

These efforts will continue in Cawthorne Channel, Bille, and other areas until individuals involved in illegal oil activities cease their unlawful operations.