The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it has destroyed some illegal refining sites in Rivers State and also killed several “terrorists” in airstrikes in the North-East region of the country. 

The NAF spokesman Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet confirmed the development noting that it is part of the agency’s moves to continue denying non-state actors the freedom to perpetrate their nefarious acts at will.

According to him, the air component of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) carried out air interdiction missions on some illegal refining sites located at Cawthorne Channels, Bille and Gogokori in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State on 27 August 2023.

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 two 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.

He noted that in the North-East, strikes were conducted on Friday at Chinene, a persistent terrorists’ hideout in the Mandara mountains.

While reiterating its commitment to fighting insecurity in the country, NAF said it will work with other security agencies to do so.

But it is calling on all “Nigerians to see themselves as part of the solution to these challenges through the provision of actionable information to security agencies”.