The Nigerian Navy, through the Joint Task Force South-South Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), has arrested two vessels, MT Mkpodu and MT Westaf AF, carrying more than 939 metric tons of suspected stolen crude oil valued at over ₦4 billion.

Commander of OPDS, Rear Admiral Olugbenga Oladipo, disclosed the development while briefing journalists at NNS Victory in Calabar on Sunday. He said the operation began at about 11:45 pm on Wednesday, April 8, after troops acted on credible intelligence. The vessels were intercepted at a wellhead within the Calabar/Akwa Ibom Joint Operation Area.

MT Mkpodu was found in the process of siphoning crude oil and had an estimated 480 metric tons of suspected stolen crude onboard. MT Westaf AF had about 459 metric tons at the time of arrest. A total of 26 crew members from both vessels were detained.

Following the interception, Nigerian Navy Ship Shere and Nigerian Navy 410 Helicopter were deployed. The helicopter provided real-time aerial surveillance while NNS Shere took custody of the vessels offshore. Nigerian Navy Ship Ose and elements of Forward Operating Base Ibaka later transferred the vessels and crew to the Navy jetty in Calabar.

Oladipo said the operation was carried out with support from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, and the Chief of Air Staff.

He added that a third vessel, MT Stellos K, was arrested by NNS Gongola on April 10 for similar alleged crude oil theft activities. The three vessels are estimated to hold crude oil worth over ₦4.2 billion.

The commander said the arrests demonstrate the Defence Headquarters and Nigerian Navy’s commitment to tackling crude oil theft through inter-agency collaboration and intelligence-led operations.