Four suspected oil thieves have been arrested, while arms and stolen products in illegal refineries sites were uncovered in the Rivers communities of Akuku-Toru and Degema local government area of the state.

The operations which led to the deactivation of three artisanal refineries, also resulted in the recovery of over 100,000 liters of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil also referred to as Diesel.

Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army public relations Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah in a statement, said wooden boats with over 7,000 liters of stolen condensates, large dugout pits containing over 12,000 liters of illegally refined diesel was deactivated during the operation.

The arrested suspects according to the Army were arrested in an attempt to compromise oil pipelines, as a fully loaded revolver pistol, sacks containing stolen products amounting to over 2,000 liters were also recovered from the suspects. The illegal oil refining sites have since been taken over by the military; while efforts are on to arrest other members of the gang, as well as their sponsors.