In line with the renewed efforts geared towards reducing to the barest minimum the activities of crude oit thieves, pipeline vandals and other economic saboteurs operating in the Niger Delta region, 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.

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. However, on their return journey, the crew sighted 6 canoes loaded with suspected stolen oil products, which were subsequently destroyed.

Flying overhead Obenibokiri, a settlement about 15 Km away from Port Harcourt, the crew spotted 8 active Illegal Refining Sites with overhead tanks and one with over 300 piled up sacks containing suspected stolen oil products. These were all effectively destroyed.

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. The need for law-abiding citizens to key into the efforts of security agencies to deter the activities of these economic saboteurs would go a long way in checkmating their activities.

Edward Gabkwet
Air Vice Marshal
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force
19 July 2024