The Nigerian Navy has intercepted a vessel carrying an estimated 682.82 metric tonnes of suspected stolen petroleum products, comprising 650 metric tonnes of crude oil and 32.82 metric tonnes of fuel oil, in the latest breakthrough recorded under Operation Delta Sentinel, its ongoing offensive against oil theft and pipeline vandalism. 

The vessel, identified as MT Filia, was intercepted in the early hours of Thursday at the Utue Terminal in Akwa Ibom State while allegedly siphoning crude oil directly from an oil well terminal jacket without the requisite documentation or lawful authorisation.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, who explained that the operation was carried out following credible intelligence generated through the Navy’s surveillance systems and sustained monitoring platforms deployed under Operation Delta Sentinel.

According to him, naval personnel acted swiftly on the intelligence and successfully intercepted the vessel while it was allegedly engaged in the illegal activity, leading to the arrest of all twelve crew members on board.

Folorunsho stated that the vessel, its crew and the recovered petroleum products had all been taken into custody for further investigation, with the case expected to proceed toward possible prosecution in line with existing laws governing crude oil theft and related economic offences.

He quoted the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, as commending the professionalism, vigilance and commitment displayed by the personnel involved in the successful operation, while reaffirming the Navy’s determination to eliminate oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other maritime crimes threatening the nation’s economy and security.

The latest seizure adds to a growing list of successes recorded under Operation Delta Sentinel, which the Navy said had, between April and June alone, led to the recovery of more than 4.7 million litres of petroleum products, the deactivation of over 58 illegal refining sites, the destruction of more than 239 dugout pits and 13 refining ovens, and the arrest of over 91 suspects linked to crude oil theft. Officials noted that the sustained crackdown has coincided with a notable rise in Nigeria’s crude oil production, which climbed to 1.89 million barrels per day in July, a figure that now exceeds the country’s production quota under the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.

Photo Credit: Daily Nigerian