Navy Intercepts Six Crude-Laden Boats, Arrests Three In Niger Delta Creeks

Operatives from the Forward Operating Base Escravos, part of the Nigerian Navy Ship in Delta State, have successfully apprehended a group of suspected pipeline vandals. The arrest took place at Chevron Nigeria Ltd.'s Malu Jacket 19 facility, located offshore in the creeks of the Niger Delta.

In the sting operation carried out in the early hours of Sunday, June 15, 2025, following credible intelligence, three of the suspects were apprehended on the scene while others fled in six speedboats, each powered by 200HP engines and carrying nine drums apiece.

The Commander, NNS-Delta, Commodore Abdulazeez Zubairu, while parading the three arrested suspects and two out of the six recovered boats to journalists in Warri on Wednesday, noted that “the modus operandi of the suspects further 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.

The arrested suspects, all of whom hail from the 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”.

Speaking further, the Commander, NNS-Delta, maintained that “this 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 the “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.”

The Commander then declared that this should “serve as a strong warning to criminal elements that the Nigerian Navy remains poised and ever vigilant in protecting Nigeria’s maritime domain and economic lifelines.”

While expressing appreciation for the continued support of the public, he urged the citizens to “report suspicious activities to the nearest naval or security outpost.”