Three suspected pipeline vandals, along with six crude oil-laden boats, have been arrested by an anti-crude oil theft team of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Escravos, under the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta.
The suspects were intercepted at the Chevron Nigeria Limited Malu Jacket 19 offshore Escravos in the Niger Delta creeks during a sting operation carried out in the early hours of Sunday, June 15, 2025.
While three of the suspects were apprehended, others fled in six speedboats, each powered by 200 horsepower engines and carrying nine drums apiece.
Speaking to reporters in Warri, Delta state, on Wednesday, the Commander, NNS-Delta, Commodore Abdulazeez Zubairu, while parading the suspects and two out of the six recovered boats, stated that their modus operandi “indicated the involvement of a well-organised and well-resourced syndicate”.
Commodore Zubairu said, “The suspects were attempting to illegally siphon crude oil from the jacket in a highly coordinated operation aimed at sabotaging national economic assets. Our operatives acted swiftly and decisively, preventing what could have resulted in significant environmental and economic damage.
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“The arrested suspects, all of whom hail from Awoye community in Ondo State, are currently in custody and undergoing preliminary investigation. Relevant authorities have been duly notified for further joint investigation and prosecution.
“Investigations are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and dismantle the broader network behind this coordinated illegal activity”.
The Commander asserted that the “incident highlights not only the sophistication of the criminal network, but also the strategic value of collaboration between the Nigerian Navy and stakeholders in the oil sector”.
Commodore Zubairu emphasized that “this arrest underscores the Nigerian Navy’s commitment under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Emmanuel Ogalla’s initiative of ‘Operation Delta Sanity’ and other internal security mandates to ensure zero tolerance for oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and all forms of maritime criminality”.
He warned criminal elements to steer clear, stating that “the Nigerian Navy remains poised and ever vigilant in protecting Nigeria’s maritime domain and economic lifelines”.
He thanked the public for the continued support and urged the citizens to “report suspicious activities to the nearest naval or security outpost.”