Joint task force intercepts three tankers with 939MT of stolen crude oil

Apprehends 26 suspects; on the trail of three more vessels

From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar

Troops of the Joint Task Force South-South Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) have intercepted three tankers with about 939 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil.

Acting on credible intelligence on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, the task force successfully intercepted and arrested two vessels, Motor Tanker MKPODU and Motor Tanker WESTAF.

The vessels are suspected to have been engaged in crude oil theft activities within the Calabar/Akwa Ibom maritime area.

The two vessels, with a total of 26 crew members on board, were apprehended at a wellhead located within the Calabar/Akwa Ibom Joint Operations Area while actively involved in crude oil theft.

Motor Tanker MKPODU was arrested in the process of syphoning crude oil and was discovered to be laden with an estimated 480 metric tonnes of suspected stolen crude.

The second vessel, Motor Tanker WESTAF, on the other hand, had about 459 metric tonnes of suspected crude oil at the time of arrest.

Giving details of the operation, the Commander, Joint Task Force South-South Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Olugbenga Oladipo, said the Nigerian Navy Ship SHERE and Nigerian Navy 410 Helicopter were deployed to the scene following the interception.

According to him, “The helicopter provided real-time aerial imagery of the vessels while Nigerian Navy Ship SHERE took custody of the 2 vessels at the offshore location.

“Thereafter, Nigerian Navy Ship OSE and elements of Forward Operating Base IBAKA facilitated the transfer of the arrested vessels and crew members to the Navy jetty in Calabar.

“Meanwhile, preliminary investigation led to the arrest of a third vessel, Motor Tanker STELIOS K, by Nigerian Navy Ship GONGOLA on 10 April 2026 for similar Crude Oil Theft activities,” he said.

While parading the suspects at the Nigerian Navy Ship VICTORY jetty, Rear Admiral Oladipo stated that the operation underscores the continued commitment to the OPDS mandate in combating crude oil theft and other economic sabotage, as well as securing all oil and gas installations within the Joint Operations Area.

He attributed the success of the operation to the support of the Chief of Defence Staff, as well as the Chief of the Naval Staff and the Chief of the Air Staff.

The commander also revealed that the involvement of Nigerian Navy vessels and resources, as well as Nigerian Air Force assets, was instrumental to the success of the operation.

He emphasised that the arrest of the vessels demonstrates the shared commitment and proactiveness of the Defence Headquarters and Nigerian Navy towards curbing crude oil theft in Nigerian waters through inter-service and inter-agency collaboration and sustained intelligence gathering.

Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie, said that one additional vessel involved in the operation was arrested earlier in the day at Bonny, while the Eastern Naval Command is on the trail of three more vessels.

He therefore appreciated the Commander, OPDS, for his support, as well as the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, assuring that more arrests are underway.