Nigerian Navy arrests Sao Tome oil tanker for crude theft, seizes 650 metric tonnes

The authority of the Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy has arrested an oil tanker engaging in illegal oil bunkering within Nigeria’s territorial waters.

The Command Operations Officer, Eastern Naval Command – Commodore Abubakar Umar, announced this while briefing journalists on the premises of Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Victory, Calabar, Cross River on Tuesday.

According to Commodore Umar, the oil tanker,l MT FILIA, with a Sao Tome IMO registration, was involved in crude oil theft at an Offshore Oil Terminal.

The Operations Officer narrated that, acting on credible intelligence driven by surveillance assets, the NN in the Eastern Naval Command on 23 Jul 26 arrested an oil product tanker MT FILIA (IMO No. 8662684), sailing under the flag of São Tomé and Príncipe, for alleged involvement in COT activities at Utue Offshore Oil Terminals located at Akwa Ibom State, Eastern Naval Command Area of Responsibility.

The vessel was arrested with 12 Nigerian crew members onboard. Preliminary investigations indicated that the tanker vessel loitered within the vicinity of the Terminals for over 7 days, apparently waiting for an opportunity to gain access to some crude oil jackets. The vessel subsequently proceeded to one of the oil jackets where she was engaged in the suspected illegal loading of crude oil, Commodore Umar disclosed.

He continued that on “Thursday 23 Jul 26, MT FILIA departed the offshore Oil Terminal and proceeded seaward. Consequently, an NN patrol boat pursued and intercepted the vessel. On sighting the Nigerian Navy ship, the crew began discharging the stolen crude into the sea, causing maritime pollution. Subsequent investigation revealed that the Captain of MT FILIA also admitted that the vessel had loaded approximately 650 metric tonnes of crude oil at the Terminal worth an estimated value of over N660 Million Naira. It is pertinent to state at this point that investigation is still ongoing to unravel further details of the dastardly act.

“ It is pertinent to state at this point that investigation is still ongoing to unravel further details of the dastardly act,” he stated.

Commodore Umar announced that proper investigation has been initiated for the arrested vessel and suspects, and they will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

He explained that the arrest of MT FILIA reflects the NN’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, operational readiness and mission accomplishment of the CNS. It further demonstrates the NN’s resolve to deny criminal elements the freedom to operate within Nigeria’s maritime domain. It equally underscores the effectiveness of Operation DELTA SENTINEL in leveraging intelligence, technology and inter-agency collaboration to detect, deter and disrupt crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, sea robbery, kidnapping and other forms of economic sabotage.

“As for the arrested vessel and suspects, proper investigation has been initiated, and they will be made to face the full wrath of the law. Finally, the NN appreciates the continued support of the Federal Government, sister agencies, oil and gas industry and members of the public. We encourage all stakeholders to continue providing timely and credible information,” Averred Commodore Umar.

The Operations Officer recalled that the Chief of Naval Staff, CNS, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, launched Operation DELTA SENTINEL in January 2026 as a strategic initiative to consolidate the gains of subsequent operations in the fight against crude oil theft and other maritime crimes within Nigeria’s maritime environment.

Commodore Umar explained that Operation DELTA SENTINEL is designed to enhance maritime security through technology-enabled surveillance, improved Maritime Domain Awareness and strengthened inter-agency collaboration, as well as protection of Nigeria’s critical offshore oil and gas infrastructure covering the backwaters extending to the Exclusive Economic Zone. The overarching objective is to fight economic saboteurs, thereby creating a secure maritime environment that supports increased crude oil production and national economic growth.

He underlined that the arrest of MT FILIA reflects the NN’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, operational readiness and mission accomplishment of the CNS. It further demonstrates the NN’s resolve to deny criminal elements the freedom to operate within Nigeria’s maritime domain. It equally underscores the effectiveness of Operation DELTA SENTINEL in leveraging intelligence, technology and inter-agency collaboration to detect, deter and disrupt crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, sea robbery, kidnapping and other forms of economic sabotage.

Commodore Umar warned all individuals and syndicates engaged in economic sabotage and other maritime crimes in Nigerian waters to desist from their acts of economic sabotage, as the Nigerian Navy is poised to deal ruthlessly with economic saboteurs.