The Nigerian Air force Monday said multiple airstrikes by Air Component of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) has hit oil thieves and their accomplices in the Niger Delta region.
A statement by NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet disclosed that “one of such operations occurred on Saturday 5 August 2023 at about 4 Nautical Miles South-East of Bille, a riverine area located west of Bonny Island and South of Port Harcourt, in Rivers state.
The statement noted that the air strikes became necessary after 3 boats were sighted tapping crude oil from a pipeline.
“Consequently, the boats were engaged and destroyed by the aircraft.
“Flying towards Port Harcourt, the crew also observed an active illegal refining site with tanks and reservoirs loaded with suspected illegal refined products, about 4 miles South-east of Idama in Rivers state. The site was subsequently attacked and destroyed,” it said.
It added that air strikes against economic saboteurs will be sustained until they desist from their acts of thievery and economic sabotage.
“The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has since directed all air component commanders nationwide to ensure they team up with other security agencies as they sustain air strikes on all criminal elements in the country.
“According to him, The days of treating criminal elements in our country with kids’ gloves is over. We must continue on this trajectory until we bring all of them to their knees,” the statement read.
