Navy arrest 12 crew members, intercepts ₦660m stolen crude in Akwa Ibom

By Imisioluwa Afunmiso

The Nigerian Navy has announced the arrest of 12 crew members aboard an oil tanker allegedly conveying stolen crude oil worth over ₦660 million, following an operation carried out by personnel of the Eastern Naval Command in Akwa Ibom State.

The Navy said the vessel, MT FILIA (IMO No. 8662684), flying the São Tomé and Príncipe flag, was intercepted on July 23 under Operation Delta Sentinel after credible intelligence indicated its involvement in suspected crude oil theft.

Speaking during a media briefing in Calabar, the Operations Officer, Eastern Naval Command, Commodore AA Umar, said preliminary investigations revealed that the vessel had remained around an offshore oil terminal for more than seven days before attempting to gain illegal access to crude oil loading facilities.

He explained that naval patrol teams intercepted the tanker as it departed the terminal, alleging that members of the crew began discharging the stolen crude into the sea after sighting the Navy, resulting in marine pollution.

According to Umar, investigations, including the captain’s confession, showed that the vessel had loaded about 650 metric tonnes of crude oil valued at more than ₦660 million.

He said investigations were ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged theft and identify other individuals connected to the operation.

The Operations Officer reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy‘s commitment to protecting the nation’s maritime resources and critical oil and gas infrastructure, warning criminal syndicates involved in crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other maritime crimes to desist or face the full weight of the law.

He also appealed to members of the public and stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to continue providing credible intelligence to support ongoing efforts to combat maritime crimes.