Four suspected oil thieves have been arrested in Delta State following the interception of a vessel, MT Thor, allegedly laden with illegally sourced petroleum products, in a renewed crackdown on crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
The arrest was announced at Koko Port during the formal handover of the suspects by Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSNL), the firm contracted by the Federal Government to conduct pipeline surveillance operations.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of Operations at Tantita, Captain Warredi Enisouh, said the suspects were apprehended aboard MT Thor with an unspecified quantity of suspected stolen petroleum products. He noted that the arrest followed intelligence-led surveillance aimed at curbing economic sabotage in the region.
According to a situation report from 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–Excravos axis of Delta State. Tantita subsequently alerted the Head of Investigation of the SPT.
The report alleged that MT Thor was transporting crude oil obtained through illicit means and was being escorted by personnel of the Police Marine Unit, Delta State. The officers reportedly claimed they were acting on directives from the Force Intelligence Department (FID), Abuja.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the vessel, now classified as an exhibit, is linked to a jetty operated by Ebenco Global Services Limited. Investigators said documents and correspondence associated with the jetty had been recovered and were undergoing forensic review.
The jetty owner, identified as Mr. Ebenezer, was contacted by investigators and reportedly submitted additional documents, including court orders, which are also being analysed as part of the probe.
On 16 December, a joint investigation team led by the Head of Investigation of the SPT conducted a joint inspection visit to Koko after an initial briefing at Tantita’s corporate headquarters in Warri. The jetty owner was present at the briefing.
Investigators attempted to collect 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 its arrival, the team inspected other containers suspected to contain crude oil at 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, leading the joint team to adjourn sampling and related procedures until the following day. As of 17 December 2025, investigators were en route to Koko to complete sample collection and conclude investigation formalities.
Receiving the suspects, the Head of the Special Prosecution Team, Omar Sini, 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 that those found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
