The air component of Operation Delta Safe has recently carried out operations in Rivers State, resulting in the destruction of seven illegal refining sites and four boats carrying stolen oil products. The operations took place on April 12 and 13, 2024, in Idama, Ogbomkiri, Arugbana, Ivy Island, and Samkiri communities.
Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, the Director of Public Relations and Information for the Nigerian Air Force, reported that the air strikes had significantly reduced the ability of oil thieves to continue their illegal activities. In Idama, an active illegal refining site was destroyed, while four boats carrying stolen oil products were spotted and destroyed in Yellow Island and Cawthorne Channel.
At Arugbana, oil thieves were attempting to establish a new illegal refining site, but they fled upon seeing the approaching aircraft. Similar missions were conducted in Ogbomkiri, Arugbana, Ivy Island, and Samkiri, resulting in the destruction of several illegal sites.
In total, seven illegal refining sites and four boats were destroyed during the two-day operation. This is not the first time that Operation Delta Safe has targeted illegal oil refining sites in Rivers State. In December 2023, six such sites were destroyed in Opu Arugbana, and in March 2024, two more were destroyed in Krakama and Temakiri.
