The Eastern Naval Command (ENC) of the Nigeria Navy has arrested an oil product tanker MT FILIA (IMO No. 8662684) with 650 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil valued at over N660 million.
The ENC Operations Officer, Commodore Abubakar Umar, who announced the arrest at a media briefing in Calabar on Tuesday, said the feat was achieved based on credible intelligence.
Umar said the vessel sailing under the flag of Sao Tomé and Principe with 12 crew members onboard, was arrested on July 23 within Nigeria waters.
He said preliminary investigations indicated that the tanker vessel loitered within the vicinity of the offshore oil terminals located at Akwa Ibom for over seven days, waiting for an opportunity to gain access to some crude oil jackets.
According to him, the vessel subsequently proceeded to one of the oil jackets where it was engaged in the suspected illegal loading of crude oil.
“At about 04; 00hrs on July 23, MT FILIA departed the offshore oil terminal and proceeded seaward. Consequently navy patrol boat pursued and intercepted the vessel.
“On sighting the Nigerian navy ship, the crew began discharging the stolen crude into the sea, causing maritime pollution.
“Subsequent investigation reveals that the Captain of MT FILIA also admitted that the vessel loaded approximately 650 metric tonnes of crude oil at the terminal worth an estimated value of over N660 million.
“It is pertinent to state at this point that investigation is still ongoing to unravel further details of the dastardly act.”
Umar added that the arrest of MT FILIA reflects the NN unwavering commitment to professionalism, operational readiness, and mission accomplishment of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS).
“It further demonstrates the Nigerian navy resolves to deny criminal elements the freedom to operate within Nigeria’s maritime domain.
“It equally underscores the effectiveness of Operation DELTA SENTINEL in leveraging intelligence, technology and inter agency collaboration to detect, deter and disrupt crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, sea robbery, kidnapping and other forms of economic sabotage,” he said.
—Says Delay In Prosecuting Crude Oil Theft Suspects, Huge Burden —-
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy has expressed concern over the delay in the prosecution of crude oil theft suspects noting that it has placed a huge burden on its activities.
The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie, disclosed this during the parade of 12 crew members arrested on board of a vessel laden with 650 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil in Calabar on Tuesday.
While calling for speedy discharge of cases involving crude oil theft, Okehie noted that the delay had caused the Naval a lot in terms of administration and taking care of ceased vessels.
He noted that the ENC had no fewer than four ceased vessels in its possession dating back to 2022.
“We have vessels arrested in 2022 and four years after, we are still in court; we have three other vessels on the other side.
“The prolonged process in addressing the prosecution of these vessels is a burden on us.
“It takes a lot in terms of administration and taking care of these vessels. We will appreciate speedy dispensation of cases involving crude oil theft,” he appealed.
The FOC vowed that the fight against crude oil theft would continue unabated in spite of these seeming challenges.
He pointed out that those involved in the activities of crude oil theft were not just economic saboteurs, but waging war against the country.
Okehie described it as an “organized crime of ecosystem with international collaborators”.
According to him, you can see this arrested vessel with 650 metric tonnes of crude with 12 crew members who are all Nigerians but a foreign flagship.
“So you can see that international collaboration is here. Yes, I can tell you that this ship is from a different country, flagged in Sao Tome and Principe with Nigerians on board.
“So, you can understand the influence, the reach of criminal activities like crude oil theft.
“But I want to assure you that the Chief of Naval Staff has given us all the resources and the guidelines to achieve and reduce, in fact, stop totally the issue of crude oil theft in Nigeria,” he said.
