Air Force gunship destroys illegal refineries in the Niger Delta
- Some illegal refineries within the Niger Delta have been blown up by the Nigerian Air Force
- The refineries were destroyed by an Air Force gunship
The Nigerian Air force on Sunday, October 2, deployed its helicopter gunship to bomb large barges loaded with siphoned crude oil as well as illegal refinery sites in Rivers state.
Vanguard reports that the bombing was part of the ongoing war on illegal bunkering and the operation of illegal refineries in several parts of the Niger Delta.
READ ALSO: Jonathan, Patience own private jet? See photos everyone is talking about
Disclosing this in Abuja, Monday, Group Capt Ayodele Famuyiwa, director of Airforce public relations said, “In its concerted effort to stop illegal bunkering and criminal activities in the Niger Delta, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Sunday destroyed illegal oil refineries and barges filled with petroleum products.
“The refineries and barges were sighted by NAF Diamond 42 aircraft on Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission in Bille Community of Rivers state.
Thereafter, one Mi-24V helicopter gunship was called-in for attack. The operation was a success as can be shown in enclosed photographs of the illegal refineries and barges on fire.
“A similar operation was carried out with remarkable success about 2 days ago in the same location.
“These are clear signals to criminals operating in the South-South region, as well as other parts of the country, that it is no longer business as usual.”
In the same vein, the Nigerian navy on Monday, September 19, said it destroyed 33,000 litres of petroleum products in Warri, Delta state.
A statement by the navy spokesperson, Chris Ezekobe said some personnel on the patrol team conducted an anti-crude oil theft operation in Warri South local government area of Delta state on Saturday, September 17.
Ezekobe, a commodore said during the operation, two illegal refineries located at Lakpaje and Ubeje creeks were raided and 18,000 litres and 15,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and refined AGO were recovered and destroyed.
He also said, the operatives in another development successfully repelled an attack by some sea robbers on Marine Tanker (MT) HANZE KOCHI en-route Lagos from Port Harcourt.
Source: Legit.ng
