The Nigerian Navy has intercepted two oil tankers transporting more than 939 metric tonnes of suspected stolen crude oil, valued at over ₦4 billion, in what authorities are calling one of the most significant busts in recent years targeting oil theft networks operating in Nigerian waters.
Rear Admiral Olugbenga Oladipo, Commander of Operation Delta Safe, told journalists in Calabar that the operation followed credible intelligence received shortly after midnight on 8 April. Naval forces tracked and apprehended the vessels at a wellhead located within the Calabar and Akwa Ibom operational zone. One of the tankers, MT Mkpodu, was caught in the act of siphoning crude oil, Oladipo confirmed. The breakthrough resulted in the arrest of 26 crew members across the two vessels, MT Mkpodu and MT Westaf AF.
The operation drew on coordinated support from the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Defence Headquarters. Naval and aerial assets were rapidly deployed, including Nigerian Navy Ship NNS SHERE and a naval helicopter that provided real-time aerial surveillance as the vessels were secured offshore. The ships were subsequently escorted to base with assistance from additional naval units.
Oladipo described the interdiction as a strong signal of the Navy's resolve to combat crude theft and economic sabotage, emphasizing that the operation was executed as part of a broader campaign to protect Nigeria's oil assets. He revealed that a follow-up operation on 10 April resulted in the arrest of another vessel, MT Steliosk, underscoring what he termed growing momentum in the fight against crude oil theft through joint military collaboration.
Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie, commended the operation and reaffirmed the Navy's commitment under Vice Admiral Idi Abbas to intensify enforcement efforts against criminal activity in Nigeria's maritime domain.