The Nigerian Navy, Central Naval
Command, has arrested six suspected oil thieves and impounded a vessel
loaded with 2,332,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
The Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Peter Agba, said on Thursday that the value of the product was in excess of N1bn.
Agba, in an address read by Command Operations Officer, Cdre Bamidupe Babagbale, said the ship, MT CERGEN (whose original name was MARISA), was intercepted and arrested early this week by naval patrol team around Fish Town river in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The FOC said the ship was arrested with six crew members, all Nigerians.
It was learnt that during the time of arrest, 10 persons were on board the ship. However, four persons, including the captain, escaped.
Agba added, “The captain of the ship was unable to tender relevant documents such as Nigerian Port Plc nomination bunkering permit and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s nomination for crude oil lifting. They deleted the original name MT MARISA and changed it to MT CERGEN.
“The Central Naval Command has commenced investigation into the source of the suspected crude oil on board the vessel.”
Leader of the gang, who gave his name only as Temitope, an indigene of Ekiti State, claimed that before the journey, the captain of the shop showed him papers authorizing them to carry diesel, which he believed.
Temitope said, “At the beginning of the journey, the captain showed me the papers authorizing us to carry AGO (diesel) and I believed it was diesel that was inside the vessel.
“But when we were arrested, it was discovered that instead of diesel, it was crude oil that was there.”
In a related development, the FOC said the Naval Base Warri, NNS Delta last week destroyed more than 150 illegal refineries.
He also said the Navy Forward Operating Base in Escravos destroyed reactivated illegal refineries at Ugbegudu, while Naval Base Yenagoa destroyed many of those illegal refineries around Amassoma.
Agba said, “The foregoing arrest and destruction of illegal refineries underscore the determination of the Nigerian Navy and Central Naval Command in particular, to completely eradicate oil theft, illegal bunkering and other maritime illegalities in Nigerian waters.
“This further demonstrates the zero tolerance of the Chief of Naval Staff against oil theft.
“Consequently, I hereby warn intending criminals to change their minds and do something worthwhile, viable and free from illegality as there is nowhere to hide in this command.”
He said the command’s regional maritime awareness capability was inaugurated late last year at Yenagoa, Brass and FORMOSO to obtain all round view of the maritime environment.
The Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Peter Agba, said on Thursday that the value of the product was in excess of N1bn.
Agba, in an address read by Command Operations Officer, Cdre Bamidupe Babagbale, said the ship, MT CERGEN (whose original name was MARISA), was intercepted and arrested early this week by naval patrol team around Fish Town river in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The FOC said the ship was arrested with six crew members, all Nigerians.
It was learnt that during the time of arrest, 10 persons were on board the ship. However, four persons, including the captain, escaped.
Agba added, “The captain of the ship was unable to tender relevant documents such as Nigerian Port Plc nomination bunkering permit and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s nomination for crude oil lifting. They deleted the original name MT MARISA and changed it to MT CERGEN.
“The Central Naval Command has commenced investigation into the source of the suspected crude oil on board the vessel.”
Leader of the gang, who gave his name only as Temitope, an indigene of Ekiti State, claimed that before the journey, the captain of the shop showed him papers authorizing them to carry diesel, which he believed.
Temitope said, “At the beginning of the journey, the captain showed me the papers authorizing us to carry AGO (diesel) and I believed it was diesel that was inside the vessel.
“But when we were arrested, it was discovered that instead of diesel, it was crude oil that was there.”
In a related development, the FOC said the Naval Base Warri, NNS Delta last week destroyed more than 150 illegal refineries.
He also said the Navy Forward Operating Base in Escravos destroyed reactivated illegal refineries at Ugbegudu, while Naval Base Yenagoa destroyed many of those illegal refineries around Amassoma.
Agba said, “The foregoing arrest and destruction of illegal refineries underscore the determination of the Nigerian Navy and Central Naval Command in particular, to completely eradicate oil theft, illegal bunkering and other maritime illegalities in Nigerian waters.
“This further demonstrates the zero tolerance of the Chief of Naval Staff against oil theft.
“Consequently, I hereby warn intending criminals to change their minds and do something worthwhile, viable and free from illegality as there is nowhere to hide in this command.”
He said the command’s regional maritime awareness capability was inaugurated late last year at Yenagoa, Brass and FORMOSO to obtain all round view of the maritime environment.
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