Navy Arrests Crude Oil Thieves

A few days after eight foreigners were sentenced in Benin for oil theft, Navy authorities in Warri, Delta State have arrested a Greece owned oil vessel, MT Troaical with International Maritime Organisation, IMO registration no. 7038941 with 10 crewmen carrying 83metric tonnes of substance suspected to be stolen crude on their way to Cotonou, Benin Republic.
The oil vessel said to belong to Golden Carrier Shipping Services was arrested by men of the Naval Task Group (NTG) on 2 Manta Class boats from NNS Delta at the entrance of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Navy at Escravos Bar May 1 and escorted to Warri the next day.
Addressing newsmen on the arrested ship, the Commanding Officer, NNS Delta, Commodore Henry Babalola warned illegal bunkerers to desist from their nefarious act and comply with the laws of the land or face the full wrath of the Navy.
He disclosed that among the 10 crew member are:  two Ghanaians and eight Nigerians whose names he gave as: Mr. Felix Ogogo (Captain), Nelson Seanehia (Engr), Yakubu Otun and Teko Peter (Oiler). Others are: Messrs Augstine Eyimofe, Tony Shube, Lucky Tonwe, Sunday Apou, Segun Agbeyegbe and Felix Mogbeyiteren.
But naval spokesperson   Navy Commodore David Nabaida told AFP that "A special task force of the navy intercepted the Greek-flagged vessel around Escravos in Delta State on Saturday with 83 metric tonnes of crude oil," said.
He said the vessel, the Troaica, was immediately impounded with its cargo, and taken to the naval base in Warri.
"Ten suspects, including two Ghanaians and eight Nigerians, were arrested and are being quizzed after which they will be handed over to the police and the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) for prosecution," he said.
Nabaida said the stolen crude was estimated at some 100 million naira (662,470 dollars, 512,379 euros).
The suspects are all currently being detained at the NNS Delta Naval Police Cell while the vessel has been anchored alongside other seized oil vessels like MT Akuada and MT B Excel at the old NPA wharf in Warri.