MT Thor oil theft
Security agencies have arrested four suspected oil theft operatives and seized a vessel identified as MT Thor in what authorities describe as a major breakthrough in the ongoing campaign to curb crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
The operation, carried out in Delta State, forms part of renewed enforcement efforts targeting illegal crude oil activities that have for years drained Nigeria’s economy, damaged the environment, and fueled insecurity across oil-producing communities.
Officials say the arrest and seizure signal a more coordinated approach to dismantling networks involved in illegal lifting, transportation, and sale of petroleum products.
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Interception along the Kokpo–Excravos axis
The operation began on December 15, 2025, when operatives of Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSNL), a private firm engaged by the Federal Government to support pipeline surveillance, intercepted the vessel along the Kokpo–Excravos corridor in Delta State.
Intelligence reports indicated that the vessel was carrying petroleum products suspected to have been illegally sourced. Following the interception, four individuals found onboard were taken into custody for questioning, while the vessel was secured as evidence.
Security officials said preliminary checks raised red flags over the documentation accompanying the cargo, prompting further investigation into its origin and legality.
The vessel, later identified as MT Thor, was subsequently moved to Koko Port under security escort pending further investigation.
Formal handover to inter-agency task force
At a formal handover ceremony in Koko, Captain Warredi Enisouh, Executive Director of Operations at Tantita Security Services, confirmed the interception and explained that the suspects and the vessel were transferred to the Inter-Agency Task Force on Petroleum Product Theft for further action.
According to him, the task force is mandated to investigate and prosecute cases involving crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and related economic crimes across Nigeria’s oil-producing zones.
He noted that collaboration among security agencies remains essential, given the increasingly complex methods used by oil theft syndicates to evade detection.
Investigation widens as authorities examine documentation
Further details emerged from the Task Force’s Special Prosecution Team, led by CSP Omar Sini, who disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed claims that the vessel had been escorted by personnel of the Police Marine Unit in Delta State.
Those involved reportedly cited authorization from the Force Intelligence Department in Abuja, a claim now under scrutiny as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities said part of their work will involve verifying whether the escort was legitimate or improperly used to mask illegal operations.
Investigators also traced links between the vessel and a jetty operated by Ebenco Global Services Limited, prompting a broader examination of documents connected to the facility. Officials confirmed that several documents and records were recovered during the inquiry.
The owner of the jetty, identified as Mr. Ebenezer, reportedly submitted court papers and related documentation to investigators, all of which are currently undergoing review to establish their authenticity and relevance.
Between December 16 and 17, 2025, a joint team comprising personnel from the task force, Tantita Security Services, and the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) carried out further inspections. Samples of the petroleum products onboard MT Thor were collected for forensic analysis to determine whether the cargo originated from illegal tapping or unauthorized handling.
Broader government effort to curb oil theft
Officials involved in the operation say the arrest aligns with the Federal Government’s intensified drive to dismantle crude oil theft networks operating across the Niger Delta.
According to CSP Sini, sustained enforcement efforts have contributed to improvements in crude oil output, which has reportedly increased from about 1.4 million barrels per day to approximately 1.8 million barrels per day following tighter surveillance and enforcement.
Despite these gains, he acknowledged persistent challenges, particularly in securing convictions that match the severity of the crimes involved.
Under Nigerian law, oil theft and related economic sabotage attract severe penalties, including lengthy prison terms. However, enforcement authorities have often expressed concern that weak prosecution outcomes and light sentencing undermine deterrence.
The wider cost of oil theft
Oil theft remains one of Nigeria’s most damaging economic crimes. Beyond revenue losses running into billions of dollars annually, illegal bunkering contributes to environmental pollution, destroys livelihoods, and fuels violent criminal networks.
Communities in the Niger Delta continue to bear the brunt of spills, fires, and degraded farmlands caused by illegal refining and pipeline vandalism. These conditions worsen poverty and deepen mistrust between residents, security agencies, and oil operators.
Security analysts note that MT Thor oil theft syndicates often operate sophisticated networks involving financiers, transporters, middlemen, and corrupt insiders, making enforcement complex and resource-intensive.
What the MT Thor seizure signals
The seizure of MT Thor and the arrest of its crew send a clear message that authorities are tightening oversight of maritime and inland waterways used for illegal crude movement.
By expanding cooperation between private surveillance contractors, regulatory bodies, and law enforcement agencies, the government hopes to close loopholes that have long enabled oil theft to thrive.
Observers say sustained success will depend on consistency, transparency, and the willingness to prosecute cases to their logical conclusion.
Looking ahead
As investigations continue, attention will shift to whether charges are filed and how swiftly the judicial process moves. For many Nigerians, meaningful progress against MT Thor oil theft will be measured not just by arrests, but by convictions and lasting reductions in illegal activity.
For now, the interception of MT Thor oil theft stands as another reminder that the battle over Nigeria’s oil wealth is ongoing — and that protecting critical infrastructure remains central to economic stability, national security, and the future of the Niger Delta.
MT Thor oil theft
