OPDS Intercepts 2 Tankers, Recovers 939 Tonnes Of Suspected Crude

Troops of the Joint Task Force South South Operation Delta Safe, OPDS, acting on credible intelligence, have intercepted and arrested two vessels, Motor Tanker MKPODU and Motor Tanker WESTAF.

The vessels are suspected to have been engaged in crude oil theft activities within the Calabar/Akwa Ibom maritime domain.

The arrest was made on April 8, 2026, at about 11:45 pm along the Calabar/Akwa Ibom maritime domain.

Commander, Joint Taskforce, South South, Operation Delta Safe Yenogua, Rear Admiral Olugbenga Oladipo, revealed this while answering questions from journalists on the arrest of suspected crude oil thieves Saturday in Calabar.

According to Rear Admiral Oladipo, the two vessels, with 26 crew members onboard, were apprehended at a wellhead located within the Calabar/Akwa Ibom Joint Operation Area.

He said they were “actively involved in crude oil theft” at the time of the operation.

He gave further details on the seizures. “Motor Tanker MKPODU was arrested in the process of siphoning crude oil,” he stressed.

“At the time of arrest, Motor Tanker MKPODU was discovered to be laden with an estimated 480 metric tons of suspected stolen crude oil.”

He added that “Motor Tanker WESTAF had about 459 metric tons of suspected crude oil onboard.”

He averred that following the arrest, the Nigerian Navy Ship SHERE and Nigerian Navy 410 Helicopter were deployed to the scene.

Oladipo stated that “the helicopter provided real time aerial imagery of the vessels while Nigerian Navy Ship SHERE took custody of the two vessels at the offshore location.” He maintained.

The Nigerian Navy Ship OSE and elements of Forward Operating Base IBAKA later facilitated the transfer of the arrested vessels and crew members to Navy jetty in Calabar.

He disclosed that preliminary investigation led to another arrest.

“Preliminary investigation led to the arrest of a third vessel, Motor Tanker STELIOS K, by Nigerian Navy Ship GONGOLA on April 10, 2026 for similar crude oil theft activities,” he said.

Rear Admiral Oladipo stated that the operation reflects broader collaboration in the region.

“The arrest of the two vessels demonstrates the shared commitment and proactiveness of the Defence Headquarters and Nigerian Navy towards curbing crude oil theft in Nigerian waters through inter-Service and inter-agency collaboration and dogged intelligence gathering.

“It is believed that the arrest will send a clear message and deter potential economic saboteurs from engaging in such nefarious activities,” he stated.

While parading the suspects at Nigerian Navy Ship VICTORY jetty, Rear Admiral Oladipo added that “the operation underscores the continued commitment to OPDS mandate in combating crude oil theft and other economic sabotage, as well as securing all oil and gas installations within the joint operations area.

He also said, “The success of the operation can be attributed to the immense support of the Chief of Defence Staff and particularly the Chief of the Naval Staff and Chief of Air Staff.”

In his remarks, Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie, assured that “while one additional vessel involved in the operation was arrested earlier today at Bonny, the Eastern Naval Command is on the trail of three more vessels.”