The Nigerian Air Force says it has destroyed five Cotonou boats caught siphoning crude oil at Cawthorne Channel and Alakri in Rivers State.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, said six active illegal refining sites in Rivers State were also bombed by the air component of Operation Delta Safe.
According to him, the operations were conducted between November 12 and 13, following intelligence report.
Gabkwet said: “In an effort to combat oil theft and checkmate the activities of economic saboteurs in the Niger Delta region, the air component of Operation Delta Safe has, in the last three days, intensified its air operations, destroying six illegal refining sites and five Cotonou boats in Rivers State.
“On 12 November 2023, intelligence received revealed the sighting of three active illegal refining sites and two Cotonou boats siphoning crude oil from pipelines at Cawthorne Channel and Alakri in Rivers State. The IRS and boats were subsequently engaged and destroyed. Similar strikes were also carried out at Krakama in Rivers State, on the same day, on three Cotonou boats sighted conveying suspected illegal refined products.
“On 13 November 2023, NAF aircraft also struck some sites at Dariama village in Rivers State following an intelligence report of illegal refining activities near the location.
“On arrival, three IRS with tanks, pipes, and pumping machines as well as Cotonou boats loaded with suspected illegally refined products were sighted, engaged, and subsequently
