The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army has announced the arrest of 39 suspected oil thieves and the destruction of 18 illegal refineries in the Niger Delta region. Additionally, the Army reported seizing 60,000 litres of stolen petroleum products during a six-day crackdown on oil theft and related crimes across three states. The operation was conducted in collaboration with other security agencies. This was disclosed in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma. The statement partly reads, “Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army have arrested 39 suspected oil thieves and dismantled 18 illegal refining sites in the ongoing crackdown against Crude Oil Theft as well as other associated crimes conducted in the Niger Delta Region. This was from 24th to 30th March 2025. The operations which were conducted across the Joint Operations Area with sister agencies, led to the confiscation of over 60,000 litres of stolen products and other items recovered. “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. Additionally, a MAN Diesel container body truck with Reg LXA 44 XA concealed with bags of Sawdust, conveying an unquantified quantity of stolen products, was intercepted. The suspects fled on sighting troops. “Relatedly, 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. “Other seizures were made around Ebocha, Omoku, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA. Troops also closed up 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, the 6 Division spokesman said similar operations its troops conducted yielded the desired outcome. “This was evident around Adibawa in Yenagoa LGA of Bayelsa State where two illegal refining sites, containing drums and cooking ovens with over 8,000 litres of stolen crude in drums and sacks. 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 was recovered. “In Delta State, the operations are progressing with visible footprints. At Egbokodo Itsekiri Community in Warri South LGA, troops confiscated several jerricans filled with illegally refined AGO and destroyed several cellophane bags used for the criminality. While in Akwa Ibom State, troops have dominated the operations landscape, making it impossible for the criminals to have freedom of action”, the statement added.