Navy Seizes Vessel with ₦660m Suspected Stolen Crude, Arrests

The Navy has seized an oil tanker allegedly carrying stolen crude oil valued at more than ₦660 million and arrested 12 crew members during a major anti-crude theft operation in Akwa Ibom State.

The vessel, MT FILIA (IMO No. 8662684), sailing under the flag of São Tomé and Príncipe, was apprehended on July 23 by personnel of the Eastern Naval Command under Operation Delta Sentinel after intelligence reports linked it to suspected illegal crude oil activities.

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

According to Umar, the tanker had remained around an offshore oil terminal in Akwa Ibom for more than seven days, allegedly waiting for an opportunity to illegally access crude oil facilities.

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He disclosed that at about 4:00 a.m. on July 23, a Nigerian Navy patrol team intercepted the vessel as it departed the terminal and headed for the open sea.

The naval officer alleged that the crew began discharging the suspected stolen crude oil into the sea after spotting the Navy patrol in what appeared to be an attempt to destroy evidence, resulting in maritime pollution.

Umar said preliminary investigations, including the captain’s confession, indicated that the vessel had loaded about 650 metric tonnes of crude oil valued at over ₦660 million.

He added that investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the alleged theft and identify other suspects connected to the operation.

Describing the interception as a major breakthrough, Umar said it reflects the Navy’s resolve to protect Nigeria’s maritime resources and critical oil infrastructure from economic saboteurs.

He noted that Operation Delta Sentinel, launched in January 2026 by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, was established to combat crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, sea robbery, kidnapping and other maritime crimes through enhanced surveillance and inter-agency collaboration.

The Navy warned criminal syndicates involved in oil theft and other maritime offences to desist, stressing that the arrested suspects and the intercepted vessel would be prosecuted in accordance with the law after investigations are concluded.

The service also appealed to members of the public and stakeholders in the oil and gas industry to continue providing credible intelligence to support ongoing efforts to secure Nigeria’s maritime domain and curb crude oil theft.