Navy intercepts vessel with N660m stolen crude, arrests 12 suspects

The Nigerian Navy has intercepted an oil tanker allegedly conveying stolen crude oil valued at over N660m and arrested 12 crew members in a renewed crackdown on crude oil theft in the country’s maritime domain.

The vessel, MT FILIA (IMO No. 8662684), which sails under the flag of São Tomé and Príncipe, was arrested on July 23, 2026, within the offshore oil terminal in Akwa Ibom State by personnel of the Eastern Naval Command under the ongoing Operation Delta Sentinel.

Briefing journalists in Calabar on Tuesday, the Command Operations Officer, Commodore AA Umar, said the arrest followed credible intelligence generated through the Navy’s surveillance assets.

According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the tanker had remained within the vicinity of the offshore terminal for more than seven days, allegedly waiting for an opportunity to illegally access crude oil facilities.

He said, “At about 4:00 a.m. on July 23, a Nigerian Navy patrol boat intercepted the tanker after it departed the terminal and headed seaward.

“On sighting the Nigerian Navy ship, the crew began discharging the stolen crude oil into the sea, thereby causing maritime pollution.”

The naval officer added that investigations and the captain’s confession indicated that the vessel had loaded about 650 metric tonnes of crude oil, estimated to be worth more than N660m, adding that investigations were still ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the alleged theft and identify other individuals connected to the operation.

“Investigations from our end and the confession by the captain of the team show that the vessel loaded about 650 metric tonnes of crude oil estimated to be worth more than N660m.

“Thorough investigation is still ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the alleged theft and identify other individuals connected to the operation”, he stated.

Umar said the arrest demonstrated the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s maritime resources and protecting critical oil and gas infrastructure from economic saboteurs.

He explained that Operation Delta Sentinel, launched in January 2026 by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, was designed to strengthen maritime security through technology-driven surveillance, improved maritime domain awareness and enhanced inter-agency collaboration.

Umar further explained that the operation targets crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, sea robbery, kidnapping and other maritime crimes within Nigeria’s territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone.

He warned individuals and criminal syndicates involved in crude oil theft and other maritime offences to desist, stressing that the Navy remained determined to bring perpetrators to justice.

“As for the arrested vessel and suspects, proper investigation has been initiated, and they will be made to face the full wrath of the law,” Umar said.

He also appealed to members of the public, security agencies and stakeholders in the oil and gas industry to continue providing credible information that would assist the Navy in protecting Nigeria’s maritime resources and sustaining the gains recorded in the fight against crude oil theft.