Four suspected oil thieves have been arrested in Delta State as part of ongoing efforts to curb crude oil theft and other acts of economic sabotage in the Niger Delta.
The suspects were apprehended following the interception of a vessel, MT Thor, which was allegedly conveying illegally sourced petroleum products. The arrest was formally announced during the handover of the suspects and the vessel at Koko Port, Delta State, by Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSNL), a firm contracted for pipeline surveillance operations.
Speaking at the handover, the Executive Director of Operations at Tantita, Captain Warredi Enisouh, disclosed that the suspects were arrested with an unspecified quantity of suspected stolen petroleum products aboard the vessel.
A situation report released by the Special Prosecution Team (SPT) of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Petroleum Product Theft indicated that the interception occurred on 15 December 2025 along the Koko–Excravos axis of Delta State.
According to the report, Tantita alerted the Head of Investigation of the SPT after intercepting MT Thor, which was allegedly laden with crude oil obtained through illicit means. It further alleged that the vessel was being escorted by personnel of the Police Marine Unit, Delta State, who reportedly claimed they were acting on directives from the Force Intelligence Department (FID), Abuja.
Preliminary investigations by law enforcement agencies revealed that the vessel, now classified as an exhibit in an ongoing criminal investigation, is linked to a jetty operated by Ebenco Global Services Limited. Investigators disclosed that documents and correspondence related to the jetty had been obtained and were undergoing detailed examination.
The report added that the owner of the jetty, identified as Mr. Ebenezer, was contacted by investigators and subsequently provided additional documents, including court orders, which are also being reviewed as part of the investigation.
On 16 December, a joint investigation team led by the Head of Investigation of the SPT conducted a joint inspection visit to Koko. The team first convened at Tantita’s corporate headquarters in Warri for a briefing, which was attended by the jetty owner.
During the inspection, investigators attempted to collect samples from MT Thor but were initially unable to do so 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 complete sample collection and conclude investigation formalities.
Receiving the suspects, the Head of the Special Prosecution Team of the Inter-Agency Task Force, Omar Sini, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to dismantling crude oil theft syndicates in the Niger Delta. He assured that all findings would be thoroughly examined and that those found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
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