The Eastern Naval Command (ENC) of the Nigerian Navy has apprehended an oil product tanker, MT FILIA (IMO No. 8662684), carrying an estimated 650 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil. The cargo is valued at more than N660 million, according to naval authorities.
Arrest Details and Intelligence
Commodore Abubakar Umar, the ENC Operations Officer, disclosed the arrest during a media briefing in Calabar on Tuesday. He stated that the operation was based on credible intelligence. The tanker, which sails under the flag of São Tomé and Príncipe, was intercepted on July 23 within Nigerian waters with 12 crew members onboard.
Preliminary investigations revealed that MT FILIA loitered near offshore oil terminals in Akwa Ibom for over seven days, awaiting an opportunity to access crude oil jackets. According to Commodore Umar, the vessel eventually approached one of the oil jackets and engaged in suspected illegal loading of crude oil.
Interception and Environmental Impact
At around 04:00 hours on July 23, MT FILIA departed the offshore terminal and headed seaward. A Nigerian Navy patrol boat pursued and intercepted the vessel. Upon sighting the naval ship, the crew began discharging the stolen crude oil into the sea, causing significant maritime pollution. Commodore Umar noted that the vessel's captain admitted to loading approximately 650 metric tonnes of crude oil at the terminal, valued at over N660 million.
"It is pertinent to state at this point that investigation is still ongoing to unravel further details of the dastardly act," Umar added.
Commitment to Maritime Security
Commodore Umar emphasized that the arrest reflects the Nigerian Navy's unwavering commitment to professionalism, operational readiness, and the mission of the Chief of Naval Staff. "It further demonstrates the Nigerian navy’s resolve to deny criminal elements the freedom to operate within Nigeria’s maritime domain," he said.
He also highlighted that the operation 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.
