HEADLINE: US Seizes Nigerian-Owned Supertanker “Skipper” in Major Crude Theft, Piracy Crackdown
Washington, D.C. – In a coordinated maritime operation, the United States Coast Guard and US Navy have intercepted and seized the Nigerian-owned supertanker Skipper on suspicion of crude oil theft, piracy, and involvement in transnational criminal activities.
The operation, which took place in international waters off the West African coast, was launched following intelligence reports linking the vessel to illegal siphoning of crude from Nigerian offshore facilities — a longstanding challenge that costs the country billions in lost revenue annually.
A US military spokesperson confirmed the seizure in a statement, saying: “The Skipper was intercepted after weeks of surveillance that revealed suspicious movements, including unauthorized transfers of crude oil to unregistered vessels and attempts to obscure its identity by switching flags.
” Nigerian maritime authorities have been notified and are working with US officials to investigate the vessel’s crew, its ownership structure, and the destination of the allegedly stolen cargo. The supertanker, which has a capacity of over 2 million barrels of oil, is currently being escorted to a secure port for further inspection and legal proceedings.
Crude oil theft and piracy remain rampant in the Gulf of Guinea, with West African waters accounting for a significant portion of global maritime security incidents.
This latest seizure marks one of the most high-profile joint operations between the US and regional partners to combat the illegal trade. While the vessel is registered under Nigerian ownership, initial investigations suggest possible connections to international criminal networks that facilitate the transport and sale of stolen crude on the black market.
No arrests have been announced yet, as authorities continue to gather evidence from the crew and the vessel’s documentation.
