Several illegal refineries and barges filled with petroleum products in Rivers State have been destroyed by Helicopters belonging to Nigeria Air Force,NAF.

The operation which is part of Operation Delta Safe is a concerted effort to stop illegal bunkering and criminal activities in the Niger Delta.

The refineries and barges were sighted by NAF Diamond forty-two aircraft on Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance,ISR, mission in Bille Community of Rivers State.

Its Director of Public Relations and Information, Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa said a similar operation was carried out in the same location two days ago.

Famuyiwa described the operation as very successful and added that a similar operation was carried out with remarkable success earlier in the same location.

He said these were clear signals to criminals operating in the South-South region as well as other parts of the country that it is no longer business as usual.

The destruction of illegal refining facilities by security agencies and their re-installation by oil thieves have become a regular occurrence in the Niger Delta.