The Nigerian Navy has arrested a vessel allegedly involved in crude oil theft and intercepted two wooden boats carrying about 15,500 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products as it intensified operations against oil theft across the Niger Delta.
The Navy said the latest operations were carried out under Operation DELTA SENTINEL and form part of its sustained campaign against crude oil theft, which it said is contributing to Nigeria’s improving crude oil production.
In Akwa Ibom State, naval personnel intercepted the suspect vessel, MT FILIA, at the UTUE Terminal while it was allegedly siphoning crude oil from an oil well terminal jacket.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the vessel was carrying about 650 metric tonnes of crude oil and 32.82 metric tonnes of fuel oil without the required documentation or lawful authorisation.
The Navy said the vessel, its 12-member crew and the recovered petroleum products have been taken into custody pending further investigation and possible prosecution.
In a separate operation in Rivers State, personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted two wooden boats within the Okrika waterways.
During a night patrol, the anti-crude oil theft team recovered about 12,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil after suspected oil thieves abandoned a wooden boat and fled into nearby creeks.
The patrol was extended to adjoining waterways, where a second wooden boat carrying about 3,500 litres of suspected siphoned Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) was intercepted.
The Navy said the recovered boats and petroleum products have been secured in line with operational procedures as investigations continue.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
