The Nigerian Navy has intercepted a vessel suspected of fuel and crude oil theft within the nation’s maritime domain, arresting all 12 crew members in a dawn operation.
Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information, disclosed in an operational report that the exercise, conducted in the early hours of Thursday, was based on credible intelligence from the navy’s surveillance systems and sustained monitoring platforms.
Naval personnel acting on the intelligence intercepted the suspect vessel, MT FILIA, at Utue Terminal in Akwa Ibom State while it was allegedly engaged in siphoning stolen crude oil from an oil well terminal jacket.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the vessel was carrying an estimated 32.82 metric tonnes of Fuel Oil and 650 metric tonnes of crude oil without the requisite documentation or lawful authorisation,” Captain Folorunsho stated.
“Consequently, the vessel, its crew of 12, and the recovered cargo were taken into custody for further investigation and possible prosecution in accordance with extant laws.”
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, commended the professionalism, vigilance and commitment of the personnel involved in the successful operation. He reaffirmed that the navy remained resolute in eliminating crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other forms of maritime criminality that undermine Nigeria’s economic prosperity and national security.
Vice Admiral Abbas noted that Operation DELTA SENTINEL — inaugurated to combat crude oil theft and associated economic sabotage — has continued to deliver measurable successes through persistent surveillance, intelligence-driven operations, and close collaboration with other security agencies and stakeholders across the maritime sector.
He recalled that between April and June, the navy recovered over 4.7 million litres of petroleum products, deactivated over 58 illegal refining sites, destroyed over 239 dugout pits and 13 refining ovens, and arrested more than 91 suspects connected to crude oil theft under the operation.
“This feat coincides with the upsurge in national crude oil production to 1.89 million barrels per day in July, surpassing Nigeria’s OPEC production quota,” he said.
The Chief of Naval Staff reaffirmed the service’s commitment to supporting national efforts to increase crude oil production, protect critical oil and gas infrastructure, and maintain a secure maritime environment conducive to economic growth. He encouraged members of the public to provide credible information that could assist the navy and other security agencies in combating crude oil theft and other maritime crimes.
