The Nigerian Navy has intercepted two vessels, MT Mkpodu and MT Westaf AF, allegedly involved in crude oil theft, with an estimated 939 metric tonnes of suspected stolen crude valued at over ₦4 billion.
Authorities also confirmed the arrest of 26 crew members during the operation.
The Commander of the Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Olugbenga Oladipo, disclosed the development during a press briefing in Calabar on Sunday.
According to him, the operation was executed following credible intelligence received around midnight on April 8. The vessels were intercepted at a wellhead within the Calabar/Akwa Ibom Joint Operations Area, where they were reportedly engaged in illegal crude oil extraction.
Oladipo stated that one of the vessels, MT Mkpodu, was apprehended while actively siphoning crude oil.
He noted that the success of the operation was driven by coordinated support from the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff, alongside contributions from naval and air force assets.
“The Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of Air Staff provided the necessary operational resources,” he said.
He further explained that a naval vessel and an air surveillance helicopter were deployed to the location. The helicopter supplied real-time aerial intelligence, while naval personnel secured the vessels offshore.
Subsequently, additional naval units facilitated the transfer of the vessels and detained crew members to a naval facility in Calabar.
In a related development, the commander revealed that another vessel, MT Steliosk, was intercepted on April 10 in a separate operation.
The Nigerian Navy said the arrests reflect ongoing efforts by security agencies to curb crude oil theft and safeguard Nigeria’s oil infrastructure through coordinated inter-agency operations.
Also speaking, the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie, commended the operation and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intensifying enforcement against oil theft in the region.