The Nigerian Navy has arrested two vessels, MT Mkpodu and MT Westaf AF, loaded with over 939 metric tons of suspected stolen crude oil valued at more than ₦4 billion. The operation also led to the arrest of 26 crew members found onboard the vessels.
The Commander of the Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Olugbenga Oladipo, disclosed this development while briefing journalists in Calabar, Cross River State, on Sunday. He noted that the successful interception highlights the Nigerian Navy’s sustained efforts to combat crude oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage in the region.
According to Oladipo, the operation was carried out following credible intelligence received around midnight on April 8. Acting swiftly on the information, operatives tracked and apprehended the vessels at a wellhead within the Calabar/Akwa Ibom Joint Operations Area, where they were allegedly engaged in illegal siphoning activities. He added that MT Mkpodu was caught in the act of siphoning crude oil at the time of interception.
Navy Strengthens Inter-Agency Collaboration in Anti-Oil Theft Operations
The commander further explained that the success of the operation was driven by strong collaboration with key security institutions, including the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff.
“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.”
“Following the arrest, Nigerian Navy Ship SHERE and a Nigerian Navy 410 Helicopter were deployed to the scene.”
“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 said.
He also stated that Nigerian Navy Ship OSE, alongside personnel from the Forward Operating Base IBAKA, facilitated the safe transfer of the arrested vessels and their crew to the Navy jetty in Calabar.
In a related development, Oladipo revealed that another vessel, MT Steliosk, was intercepted on April 10 in a similar operation. He emphasized that these coordinated efforts reflect the proactive stance of the Defence Headquarters and the Nigerian Navy in curbing oil theft through strengthened inter-service and inter-agency cooperation.
Speaking further, the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie, commended the task force commander for the successful operation. He also reassured the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, of the command’s continued commitment to intensifying efforts and securing more arrests of individuals involved in criminal activities within the maritime domain.
(NAN)
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