Joyce Mmereole Okoli
Four suspected oil thieves have been arrested in Delta State following the interception of a vessel allegedly laden with illegally acquired petroleum products, in what authorities describe as a renewed effort to clamp down on economic saboteurs in the Niger Delta.
The suspects were handed over at Koko Port by Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSNL), the private security firm contracted by the Federal Government for pipeline surveillance.
Speaking during the handover, the Executive Director of Operations at Tantita, Captain Warredi Enisouh, confirmed that the vessel, MT Thor, was intercepted with an undisclosed volume of suspected stolen crude oil.
According to a situation report released by the Special Prosecution Team (SPT) of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Petroleum Product Theft, the vessel was intercepted on 15 December 2025 along the Koko–Escravos axis.
The report revealed that Tantita immediately notified the Head of Investigation of the SPT after the interception, alleging that MT Thor was carrying crude oil obtained through illicit means. The vessel was reportedly being escorted by personnel of the Police Marine Unit, Delta State, who claimed they were acting on directives from the Force Intelligence Department (FID), Abuja.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the vessel is linked to a jetty operated by Ebenco Global Services Limited. Investigators said documents connected to the jetty, including correspondence and court orders submitted by its owner, Mr. Ebenezer, have been retrieved and are currently under review.
The situation report detailed a Joint Inspection Visit conducted on 16 December by a multi-agency team led by the SPT’s Head of Investigation. The team convened at Tantita’s headquarters in Warri before proceeding to Koko. Attempts to obtain samples from MT Thor were initially unsuccessful as the vessel had not yet arrived, having been towed by security operatives from an earlier location.
While awaiting the vessel, investigators inspected containers suspected to contain crude oil at the premises of Ebenco Global Links Limited, where samples were successfully collected from a storage barge.
MT Thor berthed later that evening at about 8:30 p.m., prompting the team to defer sampling and related procedures to the following day. As of 17 December, investigators were en route to Koko to resume sample collection and continue key aspects of the investigation.
Receiving the suspects, the Head of the Special Prosecution Team, Omar Sini, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to dismantling crude oil theft networks across the Niger Delta.
“We will examine every finding thoroughly and ensure that anyone found culpable faces the full weight of the law,” Sini assured.
The suspects are expected to face trial for economic sabotage as investigations continue.