The Nigerian Navy has arrested two vessels, MT Mkpodu and MT Westaf AF, carrying over 939 metric tonnes of suspected stolen crude oil worth more than N4 billion.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 26 crew members were also arrested during the operation.
The Commander, Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe, Rear Adm. Olugbenga Oladipo, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the development in Calabar, Cross River State, on Sunday.
He said the arrest underscores the Nigerian Navy’s continued commitment to combating crude oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage.
The commander said the operation was made possible through credible intelligence received at midnight on April 8.
He said the vessels were apprehended at a wellhead within the Calabar/Akwa Ibom Joint Operations Area, where they were allegedly involved in crude oil theft.
He added that MT Mkpodu was arrested while siphoning crude oil.
According to him, the operation was carried out in cooperation with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff.
“The Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of Air Staff provided us with all the necessary assets used in carrying out this operation.
“Following the arrest, Nigerian Navy Ship SHERE and a Nigerian Navy 410 Helicopter were deployed to the scene.
“The helicopter provided real-time aerial imagery of the vessels, while Nigerian Navy Ship SHERE took custody of the two vessels at the offshore location,” he said.
According to him, Nigerian Navy Ship OSE and personnel of the Forward Operating Base IBAKA facilitated the transfer of the arrested vessels and crew members to the Navy jetty in Calabar.
Oladipo said a similar arrest of another vessel, MT Steliosk, was made on April 10.
He said the arrests demonstrate the commitment and proactiveness of the Defence Headquarters and the Nigerian Navy in curbing crude oil theft in Nigerian waters through inter-service and inter-agency collaboration.
In his remarks, the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Adm. Chidozie Okehie, commended the commander for his support and assured the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, of their commitment to making more arrests of criminals in the area.
