NAF Destroys Illegal Oil Refining Sites, Barges In Rivers

The Air Component of Operation Delta Safe has destroyed illegal oil refining sites and barges laden with stolen crude oil products in Rivers State.

NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, in a statement said the sites and barges were discovered and destroyed at Bille, Dariama, Elem Bekinkiri, Temakiri, Opumakiri and Degema between 25 and 26 March 2024.

Gabkwet said the team at Bille, observed a barge filled with illegal refined products meandering through the creeks and struck.

Relatedly at Dariama and Tumakiri, the team destroyed active illegal refining sites with reservoirs and cooking pots.

AVM Gabkwet said the illegal oil refining sites at Elem Bekinkiri and Opumakiri were observed to be abandoned.

He added that several of such refining sites with reservoirs filled with illegally refined products were observed at Degema and subsequently engaged, setting them ablaze.

The statement noted further that some of the refining sites at Bille and Dariama have been destroyed in the past but they have been reactivated.

He therefore, assured that the NAF and other security agencies will continue to intensify efforts aimed at discovering and disrupting the activities of the oil thieves operating in the region and beyond.