Navy Thwarts Massive Crude Oil Heist Worth N660m, Detains 12 Alleged Perpetrators in Akwa Ibom

The Nigerian Navy has made a significant seizure, intercepting the MT FILIA oil tanker, which is alleged to have been transporting stolen crude oil valued at over N660m, and apprehending 12 crew members in the process, as part of its intensified efforts to combat crude oil theft in the country's maritime domain.

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The vessel, which is registered under the flag of São Tomé and Príncipe with the IMO No. 8662684, was seized on July 23, 2026, within the offshore oil terminal in Akwa Ibom State by personnel from the Eastern Naval Command, as part of the ongoing Operation Delta Sentinel.

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Commodore AA Umar, the command operations officer, briefed journalists in Calabar on Tuesday, revealing that the arrest was made possible due to credible intelligence gathered through the Navy's surveillance assets.

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According to Commodore Umar, preliminary investigations indicated that the tanker had been lingering within the vicinity of the offshore terminal for more than seven days, purportedly waiting for an opportunity to illicitly access crude oil facilities.

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At approximately 4:00am on July 23, a Nigerian Navy patrol boat intercepted the tanker after it departed the terminal and headed seaward, prompting the crew to discharge the stolen crude oil into the sea, resulting in maritime pollution.

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The naval officer disclosed that investigations and the captain's confession revealed that the vessel had loaded around 650 metric tonnes of crude oil, estimated to be worth over N660m.

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Commodore Umar stated that investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the alleged theft and to identify other individuals connected to the operation, adding that the captain's confession corroborated the findings.

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The arrest, according to Commodore Umar, demonstrates the Nigerian Navy's commitment to safeguarding the nation's maritime resources and protecting critical oil and gas infrastructure from economic saboteurs.

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

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The operation specifically targets crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, sea robbery, kidnapping, and other maritime crimes within Nigeria's territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone.

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Commodore Umar warned individuals and criminal syndicates involved in crude oil theft and other maritime offences to desist from such activities, emphasizing that the Navy is determined to bring perpetrators to justice.

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Regarding the arrested vessel and suspects, Commodore Umar stated that a thorough investigation has been initiated, and they will face the full consequences of the law.

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