Navy Seizes 683 Tonnes of Suspected Stolen Crude Oil

The Nigerian Navy has made another significant seizure in its fight against crude oil theft. According to a statement, on July 23, naval personnel intercepted a vessel called MT FILIA at UTUE Terminal in Akwa Ibom State, carrying 682.82 metric tonnes of suspected stolen petroleum products.

Of this total, 650 metric tonnes were crude oil and 32.82 metric tonnes were fuel oil. Preliminary investigations revealed that the vessel did not have the required documentation or lawful authorization to transport these products.

The Navy's Operation DELTA SENTINEL has been ongoing since April, and between then and June, the operation resulted in the recovery of more than 4.7 million litres of petroleum products, the dismantling of 58 illegal refining sites, and the destruction of 239 dugout pits and 13 refining ovens.

The Navy's chief of staff, Idi Abbas, commended the officers involved in the operation, stating that it underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations in combating crude oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage in Nigeria's maritime domain.