Nigerian Navy Seizes Chinese‑Owned Oil Tanker Filia Carrying 650 Tonnes of Crude

The Nigerian Navy intercepted the oil tanker Filia, a vessel owned by a Hong Kong‑registered firm and flagged under São Tomé and Príncipe, after a week‑long surveillance operation. The ship was found anchored near an offshore export terminal with about 650 tonnes of crude oil (valued at roughly $490,000) and an additional 33 tonnes of fuel on board. Nigerian authorities say the crew was preparing to illegally load the oil, and when the navy approached the crew dumped some oil into the sea, causing marine pollution. All 12 crew members were detained and the vessel seized as part of Operation Delta Sentinel, a campaign that has so far confiscated millions of litres of illicit petroleum products.

The seizure underscores Nigeria’s effort to protect its oil infrastructure and curb illegal extraction and smuggling in its waters.