Harboursandport.com: Delta - December 27, 2025: Delta State authorities have arrested four suspected oil thieves in a major crackdown on crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
The suspects were apprehended aboard the vessel MT Thor, which was intercepted with an undisclosed quantity of suspected illegally sourced petroleum products. They are now facing trial for economic sabotage.
The arrest was formally announced at Koko Port, Delta State, during the handover of the suspects by Tantita Security Services Limited TSSNL, a private firm contracted for pipeline surveillance.
Captain Warredi Enisouh, Executive Director of Operations at TSSNL, confirmed that the suspects were caught transporting illicit petroleum products.
According to a situation report from the Special Prosecution Team, SPT of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Petroleum Product Theft.
The interception occurred on 15 December 2025 along the Koko–Excravos axis. Tantita alerted the SPT after stopping MT Thor, allegedly laden with stolen crude oil.
The vessel was reportedly being escorted by personnel of the Police Marine Unit, Delta State, who claimed they were acting under directives from the Force Intelligence Department, FID, Abuja.
Preliminary investigations revealed that MT Thor is linked to a jetty operated by Ebenco Global Services Limited. Investigators have obtained documents and correspondence connected to the jetty, which are under review.
The jetty owner, Mr. Ebenezer, provided additional documents, including court orders, to aid the investigation.
On 16 December, a joint inspection team led by the SPT convened at Tantita’s headquarters in Warri before proceeding to Koko for fieldwork.
Samples were taken from a storage barge at Ebenco Global Links Limited while awaiting the arrival of MT Thor, which eventually berthed at 8:30 p.m. that day.
Sampling and further procedures were adjourned until 17 December, when investigators resumed operations.
Receiving the suspects, Omar Sini, Head of the SPT, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to dismantle crude oil theft networks in the Niger Delta. He assured that all findings would be thoroughly examined and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
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