By Providence Ayanfeoluwa

Four suspected oil thieves have been arrested in Delta State while their vessel was intercepted.
A statement from Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, TSSNL said this is part of efforts to thwart economic saboteurs in the Niger Delta.

However, the suspects are facing trial for economic sabotage.

The arrest was announced during the handover of the suspects at Koko Port in Delta State by TSSNL, a firm engaged in pipeline surveillance operations.

Speaking at the handover, the Executive Director of Operations at Tantita, Captain Warredi Enisouh, said the suspects were apprehended with an unspecified quantity of suspected illegally sourced petroleum products aboard the vessel.

According to a situation report made available by the Special Prosecution Team (SPT) of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Petroleum Product Theft, the interception occurred on December 15, 2025, around the Koko–Excravos axis of Delta State.
The report stated that Tantita alerted the Head of Investigation of the SPT after intercepting the vessel, which was allegedly laden with crude oil obtained through illicit means.
It was further alleged that the vessel was being escorted by personnel of the Marine Police Unit of the 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 popular jetty in the state.

Investigation officers disclosed that documents and correspondence connected to the jetty were obtained and are currently under review.

According to the report: “The owner of the jetty 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 the vessel 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 the jetty, where samples were taken from a storage barge.

“The vessel eventually berthed at about 8:30 p.m. on December 16, prompting the joint team to adjourn sampling and other procedures until the following day.

As of December 17, 2025, investigators were reported to be en route to Koko to continue sample collection and complete 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 resolve to dismantle crude oil theft networks in the Niger Delta, assuring that all findings would be thoroughly examined and prosecuted in line with the law.