13, April 2026
The Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), has arrested 26 crew members and intercepted three vessels suspected of crude oil theft in the Calabar/Akwa Ibom maritime corridor.
The operation, carried out on April 8, 2026, involved the interception of Motor Tanker MKPODU and Motor Tanker WESTAF, caught allegedly siphoning crude oil, and Motor Tanker STELIOS K, arrested on April 10, 2026.
According to officials, the vessels were found with approximately 939 metric tonnes of suspected stolen crude.
The operation was supported by Nigerian Navy Ship SHERE and a helicopter, with the vessels and crew taken into custody and transferred to the naval jetty in Calabar.
Rear Admiral Olugbenga Oladipo, Commander, Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe, stated that the operation demonstrated the task force’s commitment to combating crude oil theft and protecting oil and gas infrastructure.
channelsonline
