The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) announced that the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe successfully destroyed two illegal refining sites situated along the banks of the Imo River.
NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, AVM Edward Gabkwet, stated in Abuja on Sunday that the operation was carried out on Saturday.
Gabkwet said the strike was conducted just hours after the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, discussed plans to set up a NAF Base in Abia with Governor Alex Otti.
He said the illegal sites were located near Obiaku, in close proximity to the Imo-Abia-Rivers borders.
According to him, the sites consisted of two tanks and a reservoir in one location, and three tanks and two reservoirs in another location along the Imo Riverbank.
“Observing that these sites were active, authorization was sought and received for airstrikes on the targets.
“Subsequently, airstrikes by the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe were conducted, destroying the two sites as well as the surface tanks and reservoirs.
“Building on these successes, air operations under Operation Delta Safe will be intensified, especially within the areas of interest, in efforts to curtail the activities of criminal elements.
“The successes recorded in destroying these IRS bring to the fore the necessity of a NAF Base in Abia, which Governor Otti and Air Marshal Abubakar both agreed was long overdue,” he said.
Gabkwet said NAF’s continued efforts in all ongoing operations underscored its commitment to maintaining aerial dominance over Nigerian skies while collaborating with surface forces to ensure the safety and security of Nigerian citizens.
