The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it has destroyed several illegal oil refining sites in Rivers and eliminated scores of terrorists in Niger in recent coordinated air strikes.

In a statement on Sunday, NAF spokesperson Edward Gabkwet said that as the activities of oil thieves and economic saboteurs had become sophisticated, the air force and other security agencies re-strategised to checkmate their activities and be ahead of their game.

He said the oil thieves had, in most cases, continued to find new ways of concealing their overhead tanks used in storing stolen crude oil products from busted pipelines in the Niger Delta region.

According to him, they also continued to use fast boats to convey their stolen goods.

Mr Gabkwet explained that NAF and other security agencies have also upped their game with modern technology and hardware that enables them to detect and deter the activities of oil thieves and economic saboteurs.

“In Willcourt, a riverine settlement within the creeks of Niger Delta Region, the air component of Operation Delta Safe sighted and destroyed three illegal refining sites (IRS),” said Mr Gabkwet.

The NAF spokesperson also disclosed that seven overhead tanks were concealed under thick mangrove vegetation on the site.

“Similarly, about five kilometres downstream, four boats were also sighted moving southwards with suspected illegally refined products. Our men attacked and destroyed the boats.

“While heading back, the crew spotted a speed boat with five suspected oil thieves fleeing the area.

“Upon sighting the aircraft, the criminals increased speed, hoping to evade the aircraft, but the air component then pursued the speedboat until they arrived at the blocking zone of ground troops where they were arrested,” he said.

Mr Gabkwet explained that similar successes were recorded in the North-West region.

He said NAF received a tip-off about the terrorists hibernating at Dandunu after rustling cattle from communities around the Kuchi-Kapana axis in Munya Local Government Area of Niger.

Mr Gabkwet said the NAF subsequently deployed its air assets to scan the area, which led to the interception of the terrorists on nine motorcycles leading the rustled cattle.

According to him, the motorcycle-riding terrorists were struck by the aircraft in several passes, with most of them eliminated in the process.

“The feedback from locals around the location has so far been positive, with most of them being able to recover the rustled cattle and returning to their livelihoods,” he added.

(NAN)