By Helen Udo.
The Nigerian Navy has recorded another major success in its ongoing fight against crude oil theft with the interception and arrest of the vessel MT FILIA during Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
The operation, conducted on Thursday, 23 July 2026, followed credible intelligence gathered through the Navy’s surveillance systems and sustained maritime monitoring.
According to a statement signed by Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information disclosed that Naval personnel intercepted the vessel at the UTUE Terminal in Akwa Ibom State while it was allegedly siphoning stolen crude oil from an oil well terminal jacket. The swift operation underscores the Navy’s commitment to tackling economic sabotage within Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the vessel was carrying about 32.82 metric tonnes of fuel oil and 650 metric tonnes of crude oil without the required documentation or legal authorisation.
The vessel, its cargo and all 12 crew members were taken into custody for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Commending the operation, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, praised the professionalism and vigilance of the officers involved. He reaffirmed the Navy’s resolve to eliminate crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other maritime crimes threatening Nigeria’s economy and national security.
The Naval Chief noted that Operation DELTA SENTINEL continues to record significant successes through intelligence-driven operations, continuous surveillance and effective collaboration with other security agencies and stakeholders in the maritime sector.
He recalled that between April and June 2026, the Nigerian Navy recovered more than 4.7 million litres of petroleum products, dismantled 58 illegal refining sites, destroyed 239 dugout pits and 13 refining ovens, while arresting over 91 suspects linked to crude oil theft. These achievements coincided with Nigeria’s crude oil production rising to 1.89 million barrels per day in July 2026, exceeding the country’s OPEC production quota.
The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to protecting critical oil and gas infrastructure, boosting crude oil production and ensuring a secure maritime environment, also urged members of the public to provide credible information that would assist security agencies in combating crude oil theft and other maritime crimes.
