NAF Targets Illegal Refining Sites in Imo River Area in Operation Delta Safe

The air component of Operation Delta Safe has conducted two separate missions targeting illegal refining sites along the Imo River, focusing on the areas of Owaza, Uzaku, Obuzor, Osuaku, and Obiaku.

Group Captain Kabiru Ali, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), disclosed in a statement that NAF aircraft were initially assigned to provide close air support to ground troops operating near the Imo River.

However, due to a discrepancy between the initial coordinates and the updated location of the troops, the aircrew redirected their efforts, conducting armed reconnaissance in Owaza and Uzaku.

During this reconnaissance, the crew identified an active illegal refining site at Uzaku, which was immediately engaged.

The operation resulted in the destruction of four illegal refining system (IRS) tanks and two canoes used by the criminals.

Ali also detailed a second mission, which was initially intended to support troops northwest of Umuahia but was diverted due to poor weather conditions.

The crew instead conducted further armed reconnaissance around the Obuzor section of the Imo River. In this mission, 12 IRS tanks, along with several jerrycans and other equipment used by oil thieves, were destroyed in the areas of Owaza, Obuzor, Osuaku, and Obiaku.

He emphasised that NAF will continue its air operations targeting the activities of oil thieves and other criminal elements in the Niger Delta, in support of ground forces across the region.

“There is a need for law-abiding citizens to key into the efforts of security agencies to deter the activities of these economic saboteurs, which would go a long way in checkmating their activities,” Group Captain Ali urged.

These operations form part of the Nigerian military’s ongoing efforts to combat illegal oil refining and other criminal activities that undermine the nation’s economy in the Niger Delta region.