The Nigerian Air Force has carried out airstrikes against illicit oil refining operations in the Niger Delta area as part of Operation Delta Safe. As a result of these attacks on December 23, 2023, six illegal oil refinery installations in Opu Arugbana, Degema Local Government Area, Rivers State, were destroyed.
The announcement outlining the successful offensive was issued by Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Air Force. As he put it, the operation is a subset of a larger effort to eradicate the Niger Delta region’s notorious oil theft and pipeline damage.
Within an 80-meter radius, around 6 nautical miles south of Opu Arugbana, Gabkwet found the unlawful sites that were being targeted. We obtained permission to destroy these six locations after verifying their active state, which will prevent these illegal activities from continuing.
The Nigerian Air Force will continue its mission against criminal groups in the Niger Delta and other regions of the country, he added, even if it is the festival season.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, showed great patriotism and support by spending Christmas Day with troops stationed in the Northeast. In order to show his support for the troops participating in Operation Hadarin Daji, he is currently visiting Katsina. While visiting different operational areas, Air Marshal Abubakar praised the work of the Air Component Commanders.
Not only that, but the chief of air staff gave orders to the commanders, telling them to keep going until criminal activity in their regions of operation is drastically decreased. This order is in line with the Nigerian Air Force’s continued determination to protect the country’s interests and reduce criminal activity, especially in areas rich in natural resources.
