NAF has said its Operation Delta Safe destroyed six canoes loaded with suspected stolen oil products during a surveillance mission.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), said, the Air Component of Operations Delta Safe, in Niger Delta Area, uncovered and destroyed six canoes loaded with suspected stolen oil products, during a surveillance and interdiction mission within its area of responsibility. 

This is as the President, Organisation of Military Sports in Africa (OSMA), Maj Gen Abdullahi Maikano, said that Nigeria has all it takes to host the Africa Military Games Abuja (AMGA), stressing that this comes with some benefits especially to the event managers, transport companies, hotels and other vendors. 

The NAF also revealed that flying overhead Obenibokiri, a settlement about 15 Km away from Port Harcourt, the crew spotted and destroyed eight active Illegal Refining Sites with overhead tanks and one with over 300 piled up sacks containing suspected stolen oil products. 

A statement by Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, AVM Edward Gabkwet, said the air operations against the activities of oil thieves and other criminals in the Niger Delta and in support of ground forces will continue across the region.

Gabkwet tasked law abiding citizens to key into the efforts of security agencies to deter the activities of these economic saboteurs, adding, it would go a long way in checkmating their activities.

Narrating the effort that led to the destruction of the canoes and illegal refining sites, in line with the renewed efforts geared towards reducing, to the barest minimum, the activities of crude oil thieves, pipeline vandals and other economic saboteurs operating in the Niger Delta region, Gabkwet said the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe, on 18 July 2024  carried out reconnaissance missions along Kolo Creek trunkline and Soku Sambarth lines in Rivers State. 

He said, “At the start point of Kolo Creek trunkline, the crew scanned the Right of Way of the pipeline with no sign of breach observed. Midway along the line,  a leak was observed with some persons suspected to be staff of an oil company attempting to fix the leakage. Extending the patrol towards the end of the line revealed no sign of illegal activities. Thereafter, the aircraft proceeded to Soku-Sambarth, identified Soku Gas station, and carried out further scan of the general environment with no sign of illegal activities observed”. 

Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), said, it is set to promote greater cooperation amongst African members of the armed forces through sporting activities. 

The Chairman Local Organizing Committee of the 2nd Africa Military Games (AMGA), Abuja 2024, AVM) Abidemi Marquis, said this during a press conference in Abuja. 

Noting that the first AMGA was hosted by Kenya 24 years ago, the chairman organizing committe added that this year’s AMGA is scheduled to hold between 5th and 18th of  November 2024, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. 

Marquis noted that both male and female athletes from all the 54 African countries expected at the event are to participate in 19 sporting events. 

He maintained that the aim of the games is to further cement the existing cooperation amongst African countries, especially the military. 

According to the Chairman, the benefits of the games to Nigeria include boosting  the country’s economy, increasing tourism activities, infrastructural development, job creation, reducing depression and many other tangible and intangible gains. 

He added that the forthcoming event will generally promote Nigerian culture, show unity and other positive things about the country. 

The President of the Organisation of Military Sports in Africa (OSMA), Maj Gen Abdullahi Maikano while speaking at the event said the OSMA under his leadership has intestified lobbying for all the expected 54 countries to participate. 

Abdullahi further said the organisation will be inspecting the Abuja facilities in September 2024 to further acertain the level of readiness and preparedness of the host country. 

According to the President OSMA, Nigeria has all it takes to host the event and this comes with some benefits especially to the event managers, transport companies, hotels and other vendors.