Nigerian security forces have intercepted three vessels allegedly laden with stolen crude oil valued at over ₦4.2 billion, in a major maritime operation aimed at curbing oil theft in the country’s South-South region.
The operation was carried out by the Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), following intelligence-led surveillance across the Calabar maritime corridor.
Commander of the task force, Operation Delta Safe, said the interception was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle illegal crude oil extraction and trafficking networks operating within Nigeria’s offshore assets.
According to military authorities, the operation began late on April 8 when two vessels—identified as MT Mkpodu and MT Westaf—were tracked and intercepted within the Calabar–Akwa Ibom maritime boundary.
Security operatives said the vessels were caught in the act of siphoning crude oil from a wellhead and were found with hundreds of metric tonnes of suspected stolen petroleum products on board.
A combined crew of 26 individuals was arrested during the initial operation.
A third vessel, MT Stellos K, was later intercepted on April 10 following additional intelligence reports linking it to similar illegal activities.
Authorities said the operation involved coordinated deployment of naval vessels and aerial surveillance assets, including Nigerian Navy platforms and a Nigerian Air Force helicopter.
The aerial unit reportedly provided real-time monitoring while naval forces secured the vessels offshore and escorted them to the naval jetty in Calabar for further investigation.
Security officials described the operation as intelligence-driven and part of a broader strategy to strengthen maritime security in Nigeria’s oil-producing regions.
Military commanders say crude oil theft remains one of the most significant threats to Nigeria’s economy, contributing to revenue losses, environmental degradation, and disruptions in oil production.
The latest interception, officials noted, highlights the scale and sophistication of illegal bunkering operations in the Niger Delta region, where criminal networks continue to exploit gaps in surveillance and enforcement.
Authorities say efforts are ongoing to track additional suspected vessels linked to similar activities.
The Nigerian Navy has reiterated its commitment to intensifying patrols and intelligence operations aimed at dismantling oil theft syndicates operating both offshore and within inland waterways.
Officials say inter-agency collaboration remains central to ongoing operations, particularly in identifying logistics networks and financial beneficiaries behind crude oil theft.
Investigations into the arrested vessels and crew members are ongoing, with authorities expected to determine the extent of their involvement and possible links to wider criminal networks.
Nigeria Intercepts Three Vessels in N4.2bn Crude Oil Theft Crackdown
