By Chigozie Daniel
The Nigerian Navy has once again asserted its dominance in the nation’s maritime domain, leading a decisive operation that resulted in the arrest of two vessels, Motor Tanker MKPODU and Motor Tanker WESTAF, for suspected crude oil theft in the South South region.
The arrests, carried out late on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, followed credible intelligence leveraged by troops of the Joint Task Force South South, Operation Delta Safe. The success of the mission underscored the Nigerian Navy’s pivotal role in safeguarding Nigeria’s oil assets and territorial waters.
Naval assets, including Nigerian Navy Ship SHERE and a naval helicopter, were swiftly deployed to the scene, demonstrating the Service’s operational readiness and superior maritime surveillance capability in intercepting economic saboteurs at sea.
At the point of interception, Motor Tanker MKPODU was caught actively siphoning crude oil at an offshore wellhead within the Calabar/Akwa Ibom axis. The vessel was found laden with about 480 metric tonnes of suspected stolen crude.
Similarly, Motor Tanker WESTAF, intercepted at a nearby location, was discovered with approximately 459 metric tonnes of suspected crude oil, further exposing the scale and coordination of the illicit operation.
Following the arrest, the Nigerian Navy maintained firm custody of the vessels, with NNS SHERE leading the offshore operation, while NNS OSE and personnel from Forward Operating Base Ibaka ensured their safe transfer to the naval jetty in Calabar.
In a further demonstration of sustained naval pressure, Nigerian Navy Ship GONGOLA, acting on expanded intelligence, apprehended a third vessel, Motor Tanker STELIOS K, on April 10, reinforcing the Navy’s relentless pursuit of oil theft networks.
Parading the suspects at the Nigerian Navy Ship VICTORY jetty, the Commander of Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Olugbenga Oladipo, highlighted the indispensable role of the Nigerian Navy in driving the operation, while noting the critical support of the Nigerian Air Force in providing real time aerial intelligence.
He stressed that the success of the operation reflects the strength of inter service synergy, particularly the seamless collaboration between naval and air assets, backed by strategic direction from the Defence Headquarters.
Also speaking, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie, commended the coordinated efforts and revealed that the Navy is actively tracking additional vessels linked to crude oil theft, signaling that the ongoing crackdown is far from over.