Personnel of the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) Escravos, under the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, have intercepted six boats loaded with stolen crude oil and arrested three suspected pipeline vandals at Chevron Nigeria Ltd’s Malu Jacket 19 offshore facility in Escravos, Delta State.
The arrests followed credible intelligence which led to a swift operation by the Navy’s Anti-Crude Oil Theft Team. Three suspects were apprehended at the scene, while six others escaped using speedboats powered by 200HP engines. Each fleeing boat reportedly carried nine drums of stolen crude oil.
Parading the suspects and two of the recovered boats on Wednesday in Warri, Commander of NNS Delta, Commodore Abdulazeez Zubairu, said the operation exposed a highly coordinated and well-resourced oil theft syndicate.
“The suspects were attempting to siphon crude oil illegally in a manner that clearly points to the involvement of an organized criminal network aimed at sabotaging national economic assets,” Zubairu stated. “Our operatives acted swiftly to prevent what could have caused serious environmental and economic damage.”
The suspects, all natives of Awoye community in Ondo State, are currently in custody and undergoing preliminary interrogation. Relevant agencies have been notified for joint investigation and possible prosecution.
Zubairu said efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and dismantle the wider criminal network behind the operation. He stressed the importance of collaboration between the Navy and stakeholders in the oil sector, noting that the incident reflects both the complexity of oil theft operations and the Navy’s resolve to combat them.
The commander emphasized that the arrests were part of the Navy’s intensified efforts under the leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, through the ongoing “Operation Delta Sanity.”
“This development should serve as a clear warning to criminal elements that the Nigerian Navy remains vigilant and fully committed to protecting Nigeria’s maritime assets,” he said.
He also called on the public to support the Navy by reporting suspicious activities to the nearest security outpost.
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