Nigerian Navy intercepts vessel with N660m stolen crude, arrests 12 suspects

The Nigerian Navy has seized an oil tanker suspected of transporting stolen crude oil valued at more than N660 million and arrested 12 crew members as part of its intensified campaign against crude oil theft in the country’s territorial waters.

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

Speaking to journalists in Calabar on Tuesday, the Command’s Operations Officer, Commodore A.A. Umar, said the operation was launched based on credible intelligence gathered through the Navy’s surveillance systems.

He disclosed that initial investigations showed the tanker had remained near the offshore terminal for more than a week, allegedly waiting for an opportunity to gain illegal access to crude oil facilities.

According to Commodore Umar, a Nigerian Navy patrol boat intercepted the vessel at about 4:00 a.m. after it departed the terminal and began sailing out to sea.

He alleged that upon spotting the naval patrol, the crew attempted to dispose of the stolen crude oil by discharging it into the sea, resulting in marine pollution.

The naval officer further stated that preliminary investigations, including a confession by the vessel’s captain, indicated that the tanker had loaded approximately 650 metric tonnes of crude oil with an estimated value exceeding N660 million.

He added that investigations are continuing to establish the full details of the alleged theft and identify other individuals who may have been involved in the operation.