Airstrikes destroyed over 70 illegal refineries in last three months – CAS

The Chief of Air Staff, CAS, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, on Wednesday, said airstrikes have destroyed over 70 illegal refineries in the last three months.

The Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, in a statement said this was revealed by the CAS when he hosted the National Coordinator of Messrs New Guard Security and Consulting Limited, Major-General Jamil Sarham (Rtd) and his entourage at NAF Headquarters.

Speaking on the current state of oil production in Nigeria, Air Marshal Abubakar emphasized the severe negative impact of oil theft and pipeline vandalism on Nigeria’s oil output, which have led to a significant decline in crude oil production and substantial revenue losses to the nation.

He also noted the environmental consequences of the illegal activities, which he said have led to air pollution and waterway contamination with the attendant effect on aquatic life and agriculture.

“It was in response to these challenges, he continued, that the Armed Forces were mandated to eradicate the scourge of oil theft and pipeline vandalization in the Niger Delta Region, with the aim of boosting oil production output,” it said.

According to him, Air Marshal Abubakar gave a summary of NAF’s robust involvement in combating illegal oil theft through Operation Delta Safe, particularly in the last 12 months.

According to him, “Over the past year, the NAF has conducted 463 sorties in 560 flight hours and expended 175,000 litres of Jet A-1 fuel in air operations over the Niger Delta region.” He also added that in bolstering these efforts, some newly inducted platforms have recently been deployed to the region and beyond to enable the NAF to cover more grounds as it liaises with other security agencies in degrading the activities of these criminals in the region.