By Linus Aleke

The High Command of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), on Friday, said that its fighter aircraft have continued to hit marked targets with corresponding successes.

The last was the precise bombing of the terrorist enclave in Arina Woje, Southern Tumbuns near Lake Chad.

Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, in a statement, said that several other air strikes were also carried out in the Niger Delta area, especially in Bille, a rural community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The statement reads: “Air strikes by Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft against terrorists, militants and oil thieves continue unabetted across the nation in efforts at denying these criminals the freedom to cause mayhem and havoc against innocent civilians, the environment and economy. In a bid to achieve the mandate of the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), air strikes were conducted near Arina Woje earlier today, 1 September 2023 as it was confirmed that terrorists and their injured cohorts have continued to use the location, which is situated in the Southern Tumbuns near Lake Tchad, as a hideout.

“Credible intelligence had further revealed that the location remained active with some other terrorists using the area to store their weapons and other logistics. Consequently, 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”.

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The NAF Spokesperson further revealed that “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 ousuchtrike, 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. The strikes aimed at denying, discouraging, and destroying the activities of oil thieves, which has continued to damage the environment as well as the economy of the nation, was deemed successful. ”

He noted that air strikes will continue in all troubled spots and areas where illegal criminal activities are known to occur.

These operations, he said, will also be in liaison with other security and government agencies until the activities of these criminals are reduced to the barest minimum.