Four arrested as security operatives intercept vessel over alleged oil theft

By Joy Enamuna

Four suspected oil thieves have been arrested in Delta State as security operatives intensified efforts to curb crude oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage in the Niger Delta.

The suspects were arrested after their vessel, MT Thor, was intercepted along the Koko–Excravos axis of the state and later handed over at Koko Port by Tantita Security Services Limited, a private firm engaged by the Federal Government for pipeline surveillance.

Speaking during the handover, the Executive Director of Operations at Tantita, Capt. Warredi Enisouh, said the suspects were apprehended aboard the vessel with a quantity of petroleum products suspected to have been illegally sourced.

A situation report by the Special Prosecution Team of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Petroleum Product Theft disclosed that the interception took place on December 15, 2025, after Tantita alerted investigators to the suspicious movement of the vessel.

The report added that the vessel was allegedly escorted by personnel of the Police Marine Unit in Delta State, who reportedly claimed they were acting on directives from the Force Intelligence Department in Abuja.

Preliminary investigations, according to the report, linked MT Thor to a jetty operated by Ebenco Global Services Limited, with documents and correspondence related to the facility obtained and currently under examination by investigators.

“The owner of the jetty, Mr. Ebenezer, was contacted by investigators and reportedly provided additional documents, including court orders, which are also being analysed as part of the investigation.

“On December 16, a joint investigation team led by the Head of Investigation of the SPT conducted a Joint Inspection Visit in Koko. The team first met at Tantita’s corporate headquarters in Warri for a briefing, which was also attended by the jetty owner.

“During the inspection, investigators attempted to obtain samples from MT Thor but were unable to do so immediately as the vessel had not yet arrived at the jetty, having been towed from an earlier location by security operatives.

“While awaiting the vessel’s arrival, the team inspected other containers suspected to be carrying crude oil within the premises of Ebenco Global Links Limited, where samples were taken from a storage barge.

“MT Thor eventually berthed at about 8:30 p.m. on 16 December, prompting the joint team to adjourn sampling and other procedures until the following day. As of 17 December 2025, investigators were reported to be en route to Koko to continue sample collection and complete investigation formalities,” the report read.

Receiving the suspects, the Head of the Special Prosecution Team, Omar Sini, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to dismantle crude oil theft syndicates in the Niger Delta, assuring that all findings would be diligently reviewed and prosecuted in accordance with the law.