The Nigerian Navy has seized two vessels containing 939 metric tons of suspected stolen crude oil valued at over N4 billion.
The disclosure was made by the Commander of Joint Task Force South South Operation Delta Safe, Olugbenga Oladipo, while briefing journalists in Calabar on Sunday.
He said the operation took place at midnight on April 8, when the vessels were apprehended at a wellhead within the Calabar/Akwa Ibom Joint Operation Area.
What they are saying
Oladipo said the arrest of the vessels followed credible intelligence gathered by the Navy, leading to a coordinated operation in the early hours of April 8.
According to the commander, the arrest was made possible through the cooperation of the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and that of the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS).
He further noted that the Navy received full operational support from top military leadership.
- “The Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of Air Staff provided us with all the necessary assets we used in carrying out this operation.”
The commander also confirmed that 26 crew members were arrested during the operation.
More insights
Providing further details, Oladipo explained that additional naval and air assets were deployed immediately after the vessels were intercepted to secure the operation.
He said a naval vessel and a helicopter were mobilised to the scene to enhance surveillance and control of the area.
- “The helicopter provided real-time aerial imagery of the vessels while Nigerian Navy Ship SHERE took custody of the 2 vessels at the offshore location.”
He added that the arrested vessels and crew were subsequently transferred to the Navy jetty with support from other naval units.
Oladipo also disclosed that a similar operation led to the arrest of another vessel, MT Steliosk, on April 10, highlighting ongoing efforts to clamp down on crude oil theft.
What you should know
This latest interception is significant both in volume and value, although it follows a pattern of similar crackdowns on oil theft, particularly involving illegally refined petroleum products.
- On March 27, Nairametrics reported that the Nigerian Navy recovered over 20,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and dismantled an illegal refining site in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.
- That seizure came just four days after the Navy intercepted about 44,000 litres of suspected illegally refined petroleum products and arrested eight suspects, also in Rivers State.
In a related development, the Defence Headquarters said troops of Operation DELTA SAFE destroyed 101 illegal refining sites and arrested 219 suspects involved in crude oil theft in the first quarter of 2026.
During the period under review, security forces recovered more than 547,920 litres of stolen petroleum products, including crude oil, automotive gas oil, kerosene, and premium motor spirit.
Data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission shows that crude oil theft has led to significant losses over the years. Nigeria recorded about 37.6 million barrels of crude oil losses in 2021, 20.9 million barrels in 2022, 4.3 million barrels in 2023, and 4.1 million barrels in 2024, reflecting a gradual decline but persistent challenge in the sector.
