By Joy Odor
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has informed that the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) has air strikes the hideout of terrorists at Arina Woje, Southern Tumbuns near Lake Chad and injured their cohorts to denied, discourage, and destroy the activities of oil thieves and militants.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet who gave the information in a press statement to newsmen on Friday in Abuja affirmed that credible intelligence revealed that the location remained active with some other terrorists using the area to store their weapons and other logistics.
Consequently, he said, approval was given for the air strikes with resounding success recorded based on the huge cloud of smoke and fire observed as well as feedback from locals at the fringes of the location.
“It is important to note that the area was last attacked on 13 June 2023, with resounding success but it was noted that some terrorists, feeling the heat from other areas, were returning to the location to hide.
“Several air strikes were also carried out in the Niger Delta area of the country especially in Bille, a rural community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, becoming well-known for numerous illegal oil refining activities.
One of such strikes, carried out yesterday, 31 August 2023, became necessary after an active illegal refining site with reservoirs and storage tanks suspected to be containing illegally refined products was observed.
NAF opined that the air strike the terrorists, militants and oil thieves to save the environment as well as the economy of the nation.
The NAF spokesman maintained that the sur strikes would continue in all troubled spots and areas where illegal criminal activities are known to occur.
According to him, the operations will also be in liaison with other security and government agencies until the activities of these criminals are reduced to the barest minimum.
