Soldiers of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt have arrested 39 suspected oil thieves and dismantled 18 illegal refining sites in the ongoing crackdown against crude oil theft in the area.

The deputy director of public relations of the division, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah, in a statement in Port Harcourt on Monday, revealed that the operations were conducted in the Niger Delta region between March 24 and 30, 2025.

He said the operations which were conducted across the Joint Operations Area (JOA) with sister agencies, led to the confiscation of over 60,000 litres of stolen products and other items recovered.

He said the operations conducted in Rivers State, along Ochokocho Road in Etche Local Government Area, led to the interception of an inbuilt fabricated twin tank stocked with 18,000 litres of stolen products.

He also said a MAN Diesel container body truck concealed with bags of sawdust, conveying unquantified stolen products was intercepted while the suspects fled on sighting troops.

“Also, along the Imo River, the anti-COT operations progressed with several illegal refining sites, drum pots and receivers taken out, with over 15,000 litres of stolen products recovered. While around Rumuekpe Forest in Ahoada East LGA, two illegal refining sites with over 2,800 litres of stolen products were confiscated.

“Troops also closed in on oil thieves at Jelikri Creek in Degema LGA, with several illegal refining sites dismantled, drum ovens, receivers, hoses, and metal pipes destroyed.

“In Bayelsa State, in Yenagoa LGA, two illegal refining sites, containing drums and cooking ovens with over 8,000 litres of stolen crude in drums and sacks were discovered. At Okighene in Southern Ijaw LGA, one illegal refining site with over 1,500 litres of crude oil and 300 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) was also recovered.

“In Delta State, at Egbokodo Itsekiri Community in Warri South LGA, troops confiscated several jerricans filled with illegally refined AGO and destroyed several cellophanes bags used for the crime. While in Akwa Ibom State, troops have dominated the operations landscape making it impossible for the criminals to have freedom of action,” he stated.

He said the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, warned those engaged in illegal oil bunkering to turn a new leaf and engage in legitimate means of livelihood or be ready to face the law.