Navy Arrest Vessel,12 Crew Men Over Alleged Crude Oil Theft

The Nigerian Navy has arrested a vessel and 12 crew men suspected of crude oil theft within Nigeria’s maritime domain

A statement by the Naval Spokesman Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said the operation was carried out under Operation DELTA SENTINEL in the early hours of Thursday, 23 July 2026.

He said the operation was based on credible intelligence from the Nigerian Navy’s surveillance systems and ksustained monitoring by Nigerian Navy platforms under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.

According to him, naval personnel acting swiftly on intelligence intercepted the suspected vessel MT FILIA at UTUE Terminal, Akwa Ibom, while allegedly involved in the siphoning of stolen crude oil from an oil well terminal jacket.

He said 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.

“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,” he said.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, commended the professionalism, vigilance and commitment of the personnel involved in the successful operation.

He reaffirmed that the Nigerian Navy remains resolute in its determination to eliminate crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other forms of maritime criminality that undermine Nigeria’s economic prosperity and national security.
He further noted that Operation DELTA SENTINEL, launched to combat crude oil theft and associated economic sabotage, continues to deliver measurable operational successes through persistent surveillance, intelligence-driven operations and close collaboration with other security agencies and critical stakeholders across the maritime sector.

He recalled that the Nigerian Navy, between April and June 2026, recovered over 4.7 million litres of petroleum product, deactivated over 58 illegal refining sites, destroyed over 239 dugout pits and 13 refining ovens, and arrested over 91 suspects connected to crude oil theft under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.

According to him, this feat coincided with the upsurge in national crude oil production to 1.89 million barrels per day in July 2026, surpassing Nigeria’s OPEC production quota.

He reaffirmed Nigerian Navy’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 also urged members of the public to provide credible information that can assist the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies in combating crude oil theft and other maritime crimes.