NAF CONDUCTS AIR OPERATIONS IN THE NIGER DELTA AND…………..
By:Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
Nigerian Airforce says air component of operation delta safe has carried out air interdiction missions on some illegal refining sites located at cawthrone channels, bille and gogokori in Degema local government area of Rivers State.
Specifically at gogokori, a cotonou boat observed to be loaded with illegal refined products and heading into open waters was also engaged and destroyed.
In a statement by Director of Public Relations and Information of the Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet says similar strikes were also extended to Idama in Akuku-toru local government area and omama in Degema local government area upon receipt of intelligence of refining activities at the two locations.
According to the statement, overhead both locations, active illegal refining sites with reservoirs suspected to contain illegally refined products were sighted, subsequently engaged, destroyed and engulfed in flames.
In another development, identified militants/pirates’ camps in Cross River State were also attacked by the air component of operation delta safe, where in various camps identified as big Joe’s camp, sunny’s camp, david’s camp in Bakassi local government area and Amos camps in calabar south local government area, air strikes were authorized after confirming the locations to be littered with criminals and their activities.
The statement notes that those that attempted to escape through their various escape routes were also attacked including another lone structure suspected to be harbouring some kidnapped victims with armed men roaming around the structure, leading to pandemonium with several kidnapped victims seen escaping.
In the North-east, strikes were conducted at chinene, a persistent terrorists’ hideout in mandara mountains having observed the area to continually harbour terrorists and their activities, with several terrorists neutralised, while others fled for their lives.
While the NAF alongside other security agencies remain focused in undertaking their assigned tasks, the statement urges Nigerians to see themselves as part of solution to these challenges through the provision of credible information to security agencies.