A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft late Friday destroyed an illegal refinery at Dariama Village, in Abonnema, South-West, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
It was learnt that the illicit refinery also ‘housed’ dozens of tanks and reservoirs which store stolen crude oil for the criminals.
A military intelligence source with knowledge of how the latest bombardment at the illegal refinery site was executed, disclosed that their Air Component of Operation Delta Safe sustained onslaughts against crude oil thieves, in the past weeks.
“Our latest airstrike, which was intelligence-driven, took out an illegal oil refining site situated at Dariama village, a locality of about 20 kilometers South-West of Abonnema and 50 kilometers South-West of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
“It is important to note that this illegal site was observed to be active with tanks and reservoirs filled with suspected illegally-refined products.
“The airstrike yet again reaffirms the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria towards eradicating the activities of oil thieves and illegal oil bunkerers.
“With the appointment of the new Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hassan Abubakar, NAF has sustained aggressive and precision military offensives in various theatre operations.
“The operations are inspired by credible intelligence to ensure accuracy of the strikes,” the intelligence officer said, anonymously.