NAF tears down 2 illegal refining site in Imo

Operation Delta Safe's Air Component has destroyed two Illegal Refining Sites (IRS) near the Imo River's banks. 

On June 7, 2024, the attacks were carried out a few hours after Abia State Governor Alex Otti and Chief of Staff Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar discussed the establishment of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) base in Abia State. 

The illegal sites, which were close to Obiaku and the Imo/Abia/Rivers States borders, were described in a statement by Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, the NAF's Director of Public Relations and Information. 

They consisted of two tanks and a reservoir in one location and three tanks and two reservoirs in another along the Imo River bank.

AVM Gabkwet said ISR revealed that these sites were active, hence “authorization was sought and received for air strikes on the targets.”

“Subsequently, air strikes by the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe were conducted, which destroyed the 2 sites as well as the surface tanks and reservoirs,” he said.

The NAF official went on to say that in an effort to stop criminal elements' activities, aviation operations will be increased, particularly in the regions of interest.

“The successes recorded in destroying these IRS brings to fore the necessity of a NAF Base in Abia State, which Governor Otti and Air Marshal Abubakar both agreed was long overdue,” he added.

Source