NAF Strikes Illegal Refining Sites in Rivers State

NAF Strikes Illegal Refining Sites in Rivers State

By Faith Kordoo

The Air Component of Operation Delta Safe, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), says it has destroyed illegal oil refining sites at Krakama and Temakiri, both in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Both locations are barely 50 kilometers southwest of Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State.

The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal, Edward Gabkwet, noted in a statement that the raid that occurred on March 1 was a continuation of efforts to reduce to the barest minimum the activities of crude oil thieves and oil pipeline vandals.

The statement revealed that at both Krakrama and Temakiri, active illegal oil refining sites were observed, with Cotonou boats sighted nearby with the probable intent to illegally siphon crude oil from the sites.

It added that the two illegal sites, as well as the boats, were subsequently struck, engulfed in flames, and destroyed.

Abisse and Omoma were also visited during the armed expedition by the Air Force, but only abandoned illegal refining sites were observed.

Air Vice Marshal Gabkwet assured that efforts to rid the Niger Delta region of the activities of oil thieves by the NAF and other security agencies remain on course and will continue until total success is achieved.