The Air Component of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) weekend destroyed three boats loaded with stolen crude and another illegal refinery with reservoir and tanks in Rivers State.

The director of public relations and information, Air Cdre Edward Gabkwet in a statement said one of the operations took place on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at about 4 Nautical Miles South-East of Bille, a riverine area located west of Bonny Island and South of Port Harcourt, in Rivers State.

He said the aircraft on surveillance patrol sighted three boats tapping crude oil from a pipeline.

"Consequently, the boats were engaged and destroyed by the aircraft," he said.

Again, flying towards Port Harcourt, the crew also observed an active illegal refining site with tanks and reservoirs loaded with suspected refined products, about 4 miles South-east of Idama in Rivers State. He said the site was also attacked and destroyed.

He reiterated that air strikes against economic saboteurs will be sustained until they desist from their acts of thievery and economic sabotage.

He added that the chief of the air staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has directed all air component commanders nationwide to ensure they team up with other security agencies as they sustain air strikes on all criminal elements in the country.

According to him, "The days of treating criminal elements in our country with kids' gloves is over. We must continue on this trajectory until we bring all of them to their knees."