By Akpan Udo-Inyang
CALABAR
An oil tanker, MT FILIA, with a Sao Tome International Maritime Organization (IMO) registration, has been arrested by the Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy, Calabar.
It was engaging in illegal oil bunkering within Nigeria’s territorial waters, the Command Operations Officer, Eastern Naval Command ,Commodore Abubakar Umar, announced in Calabar while briefing journalists at the premises of Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Victory, Calabar Cross River State on Tuesday.
The Operations Officer narrated that acting on credible intelligence drive from surveillance asset, the NN in the Eastern Naval Command on July 23, 2026 arrested an oil product tanker MT FILIA (IMO No. 8662684), sailing under the flag of São Tomé and Príncipe.
The vessel was alleged to have involved in COT activities at Utue Offshore Oil Terminals located at Akwa Ibom State, Eastern Naval Command Area of Responsibility and was arrested with 12 Nigerian crew members onboard Umar, revealed, stating that preliminary investigations indicates that the tanker vessel loitered within the vicinity of the terminals for over seven days, apparently waiting for an opportunity to gain access to some crude oil jackets.
“The vessel subsequently proceeded to the one of the oil jacket where she was engaged in the suspected illegal loading of crude oil,” Commodore Umar disclosed.
He continued that on “Thursday, Jul 23, 2026, MT FILIA departed the offshore Oil Terminal and proceeded seaward disclosing that NN patrol boat pursued and intercepted the vessel and on sighting the Nigerian Navy Ship the crew began discharging the stolen crude into the sea causing maritime pollution.
Umar, added that “Subsequent investigation revealed and the Captain of MT FILIA also admitted that the vessel had loaded approximately 650 metric tonnes of crude oil at the terminal worth an estimated value of N660m.
He said that,” It is pertinent to state at this point that investigation is still ongoing to unravel further details of the dastardly act announcing that proper investigation has been initiated for the arrested vessel and suspects, as they will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
The operation officer, explained that the arrest of MT FILIA reflects the NN unwavering commitment to professionalism, operational readiness and mission accomplishment of the CNS.
“It further demonstrates the NN resolve to deny criminal elements the freedom to operate within Nigeria’s maritime domain and equally underscores the effectiveness of Operation DELTA SENTINEL in leveraging intelligence, technology and inter-agency collaboration to detect, deter and disrupt crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, sea robbery, kidnapping and other forms of economic sabotage, “Umar said.
He warned all individuals and syndicates engaged in economic sabotage and other maritime crimes in Nigeria waters to desist from their acts or face the wrath of the law.