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A joint sting operation conducted by the Nigerian Navy and private security firm Tantita Security Services resulted in the interception of a vessel carrying approximately 200,000 litres of stolen crude off the coast of the Gbaramatu Kingdom area in Warri, Delta State. The vessel was subsequently brought to the Oporoza area for further investigation. General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), accompanied by officials from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, inspected the vessel on Monday.
During the operation, a total of 23 suspects were apprehended on board the vessel. The CDS, General Musa, assured both the NNPC and the Nigerian public that the Chief of Defence Intelligence would initiate an immediate investigation to uncover the individuals behind this criminal act. Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC, expressed his concerns about the significant increase in crude oil theft over the past few months, despite ongoing efforts to boost crude oil production and enhance government revenue.
While the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, declined to provide comments on camera, the severity of crude oil theft remains a pressing issue. The intercepted vessel, capable of carrying up to 350,000 litres of raw crude, underscores the challenges faced in curbing illicit activities within Nigeria’s oil sector. The ongoing investigation aims to identify and hold accountable those involved in the illegal siphoning of crude oil.
