Military Dismantles Eight Illegal Refining Sites, Destroys Canoe with Stolen Crude Oil

Ikechukwu Aleke in Abuja

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), said the Air Component of Operations Delta Safe in Niger Delta Area, uncovered and destroyed six canoes loaded with suspected stolen petroleum products, during a surveillance and interdiction mission within its area of responsibility.
This was as the President, Organisation of Military Sports in Africa (OSMA), Maj Gen Abdullahi Maikano, said Nigeria had all it would take to host the Africa Military Games Abuja (AMGA).

This, he stressed, came with some benefits especially to the event managers, transport companies, hotels and other vendors.
The NAF also revealed that flying overhead Obenibokiri, a settlement about 15 Km away from Port Harcourt, the crew spotted and destroyed eight active illegal refining sites with overhead tanks and one with over 300 piled up sacks containing suspected stolen oil products.

A statement by Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, AVM Edward Gabkwet, said the air operations against the activities of oil thieves and other criminals in the Niger Delta and in support of ground forces would continue across the region.
Gabkwet tasked law abiding citizens to key into the efforts of security agencies to deter the activities of economic saboteurs, adding, it would go a long way in checkmating their activities.

Narrating the effort that led to the destruction of the canoes and illegal refining sites, in line with the renewed efforts geared towards reducing to the barest minimum, the activities of crude oil thieves, pipeline vandals and other economic saboteurs operating in the Niger Delta region, Gabkwet said the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe, on 18 July 2024  carried out reconnaissance missions along Kolo Creek trunkline and Soku Sambarth lines in Rivers State.

“At the start point of Kolo Creek trunkline, the crew scanned the Right of Way of the pipeline with no sign of breach observed. Midway along the line,  a leak was observed with some persons suspected to be staff of an oil company attempting to fix the leakage.
“Extending the patrol towards the end of the line revealed no sign of illegal activities. Thereafter, the aircraft proceeded to Soku-Sambarth, identified Soku Gas station, and carried out further scan of the general environment with no sign of illegal activities observed”.

Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), said, it was set to promote greater cooperation amongst African members of the armed forces through sporting activities.
The Chairman Local Organizing Committee of the 2nd Africa Military Games (AMGA), Abuja 2024, AVM) Abidemi Marquis, said this during a press conference in Abuja.