Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The air component of Operation Delta Safe, OPDS, says it has carried out air interdiction missions on some illegal refining sites located at Cawthorne Channels, Bille and Gogokiri in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said the move was in continuation of efforts aimed at containing the activities of terrorists, militants and other criminal elements bent on destabilizing the nation and making life unbearable to Nigerians.
Gabkwet in a statement sighted by our correspondent in Port Harcourt, said similar air strikes were carried out in two refining sites in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He assured that while the Nigerian Airforce alongside other security agencies remain focused in undertaking their assigned tasks, there was need for all Nigerians to see themselves as part of the solution to these challenges through the provision of actional information to security agencies.
The statement reads, “Having observed the sites to consist of illegal refining sites, the areas were attacked and destroyed. Specifically, at Gogokori, a Cotonou boat observed to be loaded with illegal refined products and heading into open waters was also engaged and destroyed.
“Similar strikes were also extended to Idama in Akuku ‐Toru Local Government Area and Omoma in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State upon receipt of intelligence of refining activities at the 2 locations.
“Overhead both locations, active illegal refining sites with reservoirs suspected to contain illegally refined products were sighted. The reservoirs were subsequently engaged, destroyed and engulfed in flames.”
OPDS further disclosed that air strikes have been carried out in various sea pirates’ camps in Cross River State.
“On 25 August 2023, identified pirates’ camps in Cross River State were also attacked by the air component of OPDS. In the various pirates’ Camps identified as Big Joe’s Camp, Sunny’s Camp, Davids’ Camp in Bakassi Local Government Area and Amos Camps in Calabar South Local Government Area, air strikes were authourized after confirming these locations to be littered with these criminals and their activities.
“Those that attempted to escape through their various escape routes were also attacked. In one of the suspected kidnappers’ camps, a lone structure suspected to be harbouring some kidnapped victims with armed men roaming around the structure was also attacked using guns on board the aircraft. The strikes led to pandemonium with several kidnapped victims seen escaping.”
