Nigerian Navy Seizes Tanker Carrying 650 Tonnes Of Allegedly Stolen Crude Oil Off Akwa Ibom

The Nigerian Navy has arrested a São Tomé and Príncipe-flagged oil tanker carrying about 650 metric tonnes of allegedly stolen crude oil after intercepting the vessel in Nigerian waters, officials said.

The tanker, MT FILIA (IMO No. 8662684), was intercepted on July 23 following intelligence reports linking it to suspected crude oil theft at the Utue Offshore Oil Terminal in Akwa Ibom State, according to Commodore Abubakar Umar, Operations Officer of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC).

Speaking to journalists aboard Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Victory in Calabar on Tuesday, Umar said the vessel was sailing under the flag of São Tomé and Príncipe and had 12 Nigerian crew members on board.

According to Umar, preliminary investigations showed the tanker had remained near the offshore terminal for more than seven days, apparently waiting for an opportunity to access one of the crude oil jackets.

The vessel later moved to one of the facilities, where it was suspected of illegally loading crude oil.

He said MT FILIA left the offshore terminal at about 0400 hours on July 23 and headed out to sea. A Nigerian Navy patrol boat pursued and intercepted the vessel shortly afterwards.

“When the crew sighted the Nigerian Navy ship, they began discharging the stolen crude oil into the sea, causing maritime pollution,” Umar said.

He said preliminary findings, including the captain’s statement, indicated that the vessel had loaded about 650 metric tonnes of crude oil from the terminal. The cargo was estimated to be worth more than 660 million naira.

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

The navy said investigations are continuing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the case and identify anyone else who may have been involved.

Umar said the vessel and its crew would be investigated in accordance with Nigerian law and prosecuted if found culpable.

The arrest was carried out under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, launched in January 2026 by Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Idi Abbas to strengthen efforts against crude oil theft and other maritime crimes.

According to the Nigerian Navy, the operation uses technology-enabled surveillance, improved maritime domain awareness and closer cooperation with other agencies to protect Nigeria’s offshore oil and gas infrastructure, from inland waterways to the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

The operation is also aimed at tackling crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, sea robbery, kidnapping and other forms of economic sabotage.

Umar said the arrest of MT FILIA shows the navy’s continued efforts to prevent criminal activities in Nigeria’s maritime domain. He also warned individuals and groups involved in maritime crimes to stop, saying the navy would continue to take action against offenders.

The Nigerian Navy said investigations into the vessel, its crew and the alleged crude oil theft remain ongoing.

References: Daily Post, Business Day