By Ayodele Oni
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and other Security Agencies have continued to re-strategize in order to checkmate activities of oil thieves and terrorists.
The NAF successful operations against oil thieves and terrorists has proved their effectiveness in combating criminal activities and ensuring national security.
According to NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet in a press statement on Sunday stated that, Wilcourt, a riverine settlement within the creeks of Niger Delta region is becoming notorious for illegal oil activities.
He pointed out that in most cases, oil thieves in the Niger Delta region have continued to find new ways of concealing their overhead tanks used in storing stolen crude oil products from busted pipelines, just as they have continued to infuse the use of fast speed boats to convey their stolen goods.
According to Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet in a press statement on Sunday in Wilcourt, a riverine settlement within the creeks of Niger Delta region becoming notorious for illegal oil activities.
“The Air Component of Operation Delta Safe sighted and destroyed three Illegal Refining Sites (IRS) with a total number of seven overhead tanks concealed under thick mangrove vegetation.
“About five Kilometer downstream, four boats were also sighted moving southwards with suspected illegally refined products.
“The boats were subsequently attacked and destroyed. While heading back, the crew spotted a speed boat with five suspected oil thieves fleeing the area.
“Upon sighting the aircraft, the criminals increased speed, hoping to evade the aircraft. The air component then pursued the speedboat until they arrived at the blocking zone of ground troops where they were arrested.”
The statement further revealed that similar successes were recorded in the Northwest, following a tip-off of terrorists hibernating at Dandunu, after rustling cattle from communities around the Kuchi-Kapana axis in Munya LGA of Niger State.
“The NAF subsequently deployed its air assets to scan the area which led to the interception of the terrorists on nine motorcycles leading the rustled cattle.
“In several passes, the motorcycle-riding terrorists were struck by the aircraft, and most of them eliminated in the process.
“The feedback from locals around the location have so far been positive, with most of them being able to recover the rustled cattle and returning to their livelihoods.”
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