By Victor Akaa
As part of its relentless campaign to eradicate crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) launched a series of air interdiction missions in Rivers State on 13 Sept 2024.
According to Group Captain Kabiru Ali,
Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, the missions were carried out in two separate sorties, targeting specific locations along the Imo River, including Owaza, Uzaku, Obuzor, Osuaku, and Obiaku.
In the first mission, NAF aircraft provided Close Air Support to ground troops near the Imo River, but due to a discrepancy in coordinates, the aircrew proceeded to conduct Armed Reconnaissance (AR) in the areas of Owaza and Uzaku.
During this operation, they identified an active illegal refining site at Uzaku, which was promptly engaged, destroying four Illegal Refining Site (IRS) tanks and two canoes.
In a second mission, initially intended to support troops northwest of Umuahia, adverse weather conditions forced the crew to divert and conduct further AR around the Obuzor section of the Imo River
The statement adds that the mission yielded significant results, with the destruction of 12 IRS tanks, several jerrycans, and other equipment used by the criminals around Owaza, Obuzor, Osuaku, and Obiaku.
The NAF remains committed to conducting air operations against oil thieves and other criminals in the Niger Delta, in support of ground forces across the region.
Group Captain Ali noted that the cooperation of law-abiding citizens is crucial in supporting security agencies’ efforts to deter the activities of these economic saboteurs.
