AGS NEWS – The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reported that its Air Component of “Operation Delta Safe” has successfully destroyed numerous illegal oil refining sites and barges containing stolen crude oil products across Rivers State.

In a statement released by NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, AVM Edward Gabkwet, on Wednesday in Abuja, it was disclosed that the sites and barges were discovered between Monday and Tuesday in various locations including Bille, Dariama, Elem Bekinkiri, Temakiri, Opumakiri, and Degema in Rivers State.

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Gabkwet explained that a barge loaded with illegal refined products was spotted navigating through the creeks at Bille and was subsequently targeted.

At Dariama and Temakiri, active illegal refining sites equipped with reservoirs and cooking pots were identified and destroyed.

However, at Elem Bekinkiri and Opumakiri, abandoned illegal refining sites were found.

In Degema, several active illegal refining sites containing reservoirs filled with illegally refined products were discovered and set on fire.

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Gabkwet emphasized that although some of the illegal refining sites in Bille and Dariama had been destroyed in the past, they were reactivated.