In a decisive blow to maritime crime, Delta State authorities confirmed on Saturday, December 27, 2025, the seizure of a vessel and the arrest of four suspects. The operation marks a significant milestone in the ongoing crackdown on large-scale crude oil theft within the region.
The MT Thor, allegedly laden with stolen crude, was intercepted by Tantita security. Four suspects found on board face a high-stakes investigation by the Inter-Agency Task Force into charges of economic sabotage.
However, in a significant move against maritime crime, Tantita Security (TSSNL) formally handed over four suspected oil thieves to federal authorities at Koko Port this week. The transfer marks a key victory for the private surveillance firm, which remains a critical line of defense in the nation’s ongoing battle against crude oil theft.
At the formal handover at Koko Port, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, Executive Director of Operations and Technical at TSSNL, confirmed that the suspects were apprehended aboard the vessel MT Thor. He stated that the interception, driven by intelligence-led surveillance, successfully halted the transport of an unspecified quantity of suspected illegally sourced petroleum products destined for the black market.
The Special Prosecution Team (SPT) has taken the lead in the case, according to a recent situation report from the Inter-Agency Task Force. This specialized unit is now fast-tracking the legal process to ensure the alleged economic saboteurs face the full weight of the law for the illegal transport of petroleum products.
On December 15, 2025, the Koko–Escravos axis became the site of a major maritime bust. Tantita Security operatives intercepted the MT Thor, uncovering a cargo of illicit crude oil and triggering an immediate deployment of the Special Prosecution Team to secure the crime scene and suspects.
However, the investigation took a complex turn as it was revealed that the MT Thor was being escorted by personnel from the Delta State Police Marine Unit. The officers claimed their involvement was authorized by directives from the Force Intelligence Department (FID) in Abuja, a claim currently being scrutinized by the Inter-Agency Task Force.
Although,
authorities have confirmed that the MT Thor is operationally tied to a jetty managed by Ebenco Global Services Limited. A comprehensive set of records and communications connected to the facility has been recovered and is under analysis by the Special Prosecution Team to establish legal accountability.
To assist in the ongoing probe, the owner of the facility, Mr. Ebenezer, has provided investigators with various legal documents and court orders.
Subsequently, a multi-agency Joint Inspection Team led by the SPT mobilized at the Tantita Security Services headquarters in Warri before deploying to Koko for an on-site forensic examination.
The investigation shifted into high gear at 8:30 p.m. as the MT Thor finally berthed, meeting a team of investigators already sampling storage barges at Ebenco Global Links.
Subsequently, the high-stakes forensic drive continued into December 17, as experts worked through the night to secure evidence against the suspected oil theft syndicate.
Vowing to crush crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, SPT Head Omar Sini welcomed the hand-over of new suspects today. Sini declared that the Federal Government remains relentless in its pursuit of these criminal syndicates, promising a thorough investigation and zero-tolerance prosecution for all involved.
