The Nigeria Police Force announced on Friday that its operatives have arrested four suspected oil thieves and recovered 40,000 litres of petroleum products.

The suspects were apprehended by the operatives of the Inspector General of Police Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering.

The Force Spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, stated that the arrest aligns with the force’s ongoing efforts to combat oil theft, illegal bunkering, and economic sabotage.

This significant achievement occurred after operatives, in collaboration with the Department of Operations, Rivers State Command, on 12 September 2024, discovered a storage facility in Trans Amadi, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, used for handling and processing illegally acquired crude oil.

“The operation resulted in the arrest of four suspects, namely Emmanuel Nwachi, male, 58 years; Adamu Bala, male, 35 years; Nura Musa, male, 22 years; and Bashir Abubakar, male, 28 years, along with the recovery of 40,000 litres of petroleum products stored in 67 white storage tanks. The team also destroyed the site and seized the equipment and machines used in committing the crimes.

“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has reiterated the Force’s commitment to tackling all forms of crime, criminality, and corruption, including those involved in economic sabotage. The Force remains resolute and will continue to bring these perpetrators to justice,” Adejobi said in a statement on Friday.