The Nigerian Navy said the vessel arrested for allegedly transporting stolen crude on Thursday was certified by the agency of government responsible for regulating midstream and downstream petroleum operations in Nigeria.
The Navy in a statement said the vessel “MT PRAISEL was duly approved by Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA)” to load 1,114,721 Litres of High Pour Fuel Oil (HPFO) from Greenmac Energy Storage/Tarus Jetty Koko from July 26 to August 8, 2023.
A private security outfit Tanita Security Services (TSS) owned by former Niger Delta militant Tompolo arrested the vessel bearing a Togolese flag for transporting stolen crude in the Koko area of Delta State.
Personnel of the TSS said the 1, 117 tons vessel was carrying about 8,100 barrels of crude, and was being escorted by some naval officers led by a senior commander, fuelling suggestions of alleged conspiracy of the Navy with oil thieves.
TSS operatives said they were met with resistance from the navy boat escorting the vessel and that the naval commander threatened to deal decisively with them but refused and contacted National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.
In reaction, the Nigerian Navy said it is a “misrepresentation of facts” to suggest that the operations of alleged crude oil thieves had the backing of its high command.
The Navy said it was in line with Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure strict compliance with the NMDPRA approval that its personnel were deployed to monitor the discharge of the product by MT PRAISEL at a facility at Bonny.
TSS at the time said it received an intelligence alleging that the vessel was carrying stolen crude oil. The Navy said it was contacted by TSS and its personnel approached an element of Operation DELTA SAFE to board the vessel in order to verify the alleged stolen product.
The Navy said the vessel has been directed to Forward Operating Base ESCRAVOS anchorage for further investigation of the product onboard.
“The samples of the product onboard MT PRAISEL were collected on Thursday, August 3, 2023 by 5 agencies including NNPCL, NMDPRA and also TSSL in line with laid procedures for laboratory test and verification of the claim,” the Navy said.
“The NN therefore appeals to the general public to await the laboratory test result of the product and in-depth investigations on allegation.”
The Navy said it has been at the forefront of supporting every single effort to halt economic saboteurs of Nigeria and called for “precaution by all stakeholders to avoid unnecessary impediment to legitimate commercial activities and businesses.”
