The United States Coast Guard, in joint operation with the U.S. Navy, has seized a Nigerian-owned supertanker, Skipper, over allegations of crude oil theft, piracy, and involvement in other transnational criminal activities.
The intercepted vessel, a 20-year-old Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) with IMO Number 930****, is reportedly owned and managed by Nigeria-based Thomarose Global Ventures Ltd., although official records list Triton Navigation Corp., registered in the Marshall Islands, as the vessel’s owner.
Authorities disclosed that the tanker was flying the Guyanese flag illegally at the time of the operation. Guyana’s Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) later confirmed that Skipper “is not on the national ship registry,” describing its use of the country’s flag as unauthorized.
According to U.S. security sources, the seizure was executed under American law enforcement authority. President Donald Trump publicly announced the confiscation on December 10, 2025.
Investigators are looking beyond suspected stolen crude and are examining claims that the vessel also transported large quantities of hard drugs. The ship is believed to have been operating as part of a wider criminal network allegedly tied to Iranian-linked and other Islamist-backed money-laundering financiers.
A search of Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) records further shows that Thomarose Global Ventures Ltd., identified as the vessel’s manager, is currently listed as inactive.
Welcome to KjtsonBlog, your trusted source for Nigerian celebrity news, Naija entertainment updates, and trending news in Nigeria. Stay connected to the latest gist, events, and stories across Naija and worldwide.