Private Contractors engaged by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited have intercepted a suspicious vessel with a cargo of crude oil onboard.
The incident took place on July 2023 following receipt of credible intelligent report by the private security contractor.
The vessel, MT TURA 11 (IMO number 6620462 owned by Nigerian registered company, HOLAB Maritime Services Limited with registration No RC813311, was heading to Cameroun with the cargo onboard when it was apprehended on (Latitude5.81719447743235, Longitude4.789002723991871), with the captain and crew members onboard.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the crude oil cargo onboard was illegally sourced from a jacket offshore Ondo State, Nigeria. There was no valid document for the vessel or the crude oil cargo onboard at the time of the arrest.
According to a press statement signed by Garba Deen Muhammed, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Limited, further investigation into the activities of the vessel at NNPC limited Command and Control also revealed that the vessel has been operating in stealth mode for the last twelve years. The last reported location of the vessel was Tin Can Port in July 2011.
Details of the arrest and outcome of the investigation were escalated to the appropriate government authorities, upon which it was concluded to destroy the vessel to serve as a deterrent to all those participating in such illegal activities to cease and desist.
Destroying vessels involved in transporting stolen crude oil is of paramount importance as a strong deterrent. The illegal trade of stolen crude oil not only inflicts economic losses on Nigeria and legitimate stakeholders in the oil industry but also perpetuates a cycle of corruption, environmental devastation and social instability
NNPC has assured Nigerians that they will sustain the momentum in the war against crude oil theft until it is brought to a halt.
Meanwhile, 64 illegal crude oil connections were discovered, and 77 illegal refineries have been destroyed in the Niger Delta in the past week.
