Nigeria Air Force helicopter gunships blow up illegal refineries in Rivers State

MILITARY commanders have destroyed several illegal crude oil refineries and barges filled with petroleum products in Rivers State as part of an ongoing campaign to end bunkering and illicit operations in the sector.

 

Nigeria's crude oil industry has been dogged by illegal operations over the years with the Niger Delta becoming a haven for unauthorised operations. Early this morning, Nigerian Air Force (Naf) helicopters carried out an attack on some of these illegal refineries, blowing them up and destroying them.

 

This mission, which was part of Operation Delta Safe, was a concerted effort to stop illegal bunkering and criminal activities in the Niger Delta. Apparently, the refineries and barges were sighted by the Naf Diamond 42 aircraft on Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance mission in the Bille Community of Rivers State.

 

Thereafter, a Mi-24V helicopter gun ship was called-in for attack. Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, Naf's director of public relations and information, said a similar operation was carried out in the same location two days ago.

 

“These are clear signals to criminals operating in the south-south region, as well as other parts of the country, that it is no longer business as usual,” he said.

 

Of late, illegal refineries have become big business in the Niger Delta as alienated and impoverished youths resort to refining crude oil to make a living. Some commentators have asked the government to support these operations in a bid to enable them develop into proper refineries but so far, that call has been rejected.