Nigerian Task Force Intercepts Illegal Crude Oil Worth $300 Million in Niger Delta
The Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe has intercepted vessels carrying suspected stolen crude oil valued at about $300 million, in a major operation targeting oil theft in the Niger Delta.
According to credible local reports, the interception forms part of intensified military efforts to dismantle illegal oil bunkering networks and protect Nigeria’s petroleum infrastructure.
Authorities said the seized vessels are currently under investigation to determine the origin of the crude and identify those behind the operation, while suspects linked to the illegal trade are being profiled.
The development comes amid a broader crackdown by Nigerian security agencies, including the navy, which has in recent months recovered hundreds of thousands of litres of stolen petroleum products and destroyed multiple illegal refining sites across the region.
Oil theft—commonly known as illegal bunkering—remains a major challenge for Nigeria, costing the country billions in lost revenue and undermining production in Africa’s largest oil-producing nation.
Security officials say operations like this are critical to boosting output and restoring investor confidence, as Nigeria continues efforts to curb large-scale crude theft in the Niger Delta.
