By Emanuel Onyedika
The Nigerian Navy has intercepted an oil tanker allegedly transporting stolen crude oil valued at more than ₦660 million and arrested 12 crew members, as part of its intensified campaign against crude oil theft in the nation’s maritime domain.
The vessel, MT FILIA (IMO No. 8662684), flying the flag of São Tomé and Príncipe, was apprehended on July 23, 2026, at an offshore oil terminal in Akwa Ibom State by personnel of the Eastern Naval Command during Operation Delta Sentinel.
Addressing journalists in Calabar, Command Operations Officer Commodore A.A. Umar said the operation was based on credible intelligence gathered through the Navy’s surveillance systems. Preliminary investigations revealed the tanker had remained around the offshore terminal for more than seven days, allegedly waiting to illegally access crude oil facilities.
At about 4:00 a.m. on July 23, a Nigerian Navy patrol boat intercepted the vessel as it departed the terminal. “On sighting the Nigerian Navy ship, the crew began discharging the stolen crude oil into the sea, thereby causing maritime pollution,” Umar said.
He disclosed that investigations, supported by the captain’s confession, confirmed the vessel had loaded about 650 metric tonnes of crude oil worth over ₦660 million. Umar stressed that investigations were ongoing to establish the full circumstances and identify other individuals connected to the operation.
Describing the arrest as proof of the Navy’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s maritime resources, Umar noted that Operation Delta Sentinel, launched in January 2026 by Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, was designed to strengthen maritime security through technology-driven surveillance, enhanced domain awareness and inter-agency collaboration.
He warned criminal groups involved in crude oil theft to abandon such activities, stressing: “As for the arrested vessel and suspects, proper investigation has been initiated, and they will be made to face the full wrath of the law.”