Crude oil theft: Nigerian Navy intercepts 77 meter motor tanker, arrest 17 crew members in Ondo

The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB), Igokoda, in Ondo State has arrested a 77-meter Motor Tanker (MT) VINNALARIS 1 LAGOS, involved in crude oil theft.

Director of Naval Information, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, in Abuja.

Ayo-Vaughan said the vessel, which had 17 crew members onboard at the time of arrest, was caught engaging in illegal siphoning of crude oil from one of the well heads at Ebesan oil field, about 7 nautical miles off the coast of Awoye riverine community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo state.

He said the arrest of the vessel followed credible intelligence received by the Base on the illegal activities of crude oil thieves at the location, which informed the swift deployment of FOB Igbokoda personnel, to nab the vessel and her crew.

“Notably, as the anti-Crude Oil Theft Patrol Team of FOB Igbokoda, approached MT VINNALARIS 1 LAGOS, the 2 x boats attached to the vessel fled on sighting the naval personnel, which confirmed the engagement of the vessel in illegality.

“Accordingly, on arrival at the scene, it was discovered that the vessel was actively involved in siphoning crude oil from both sides of the wellhead.

“Consequently, upon further search and interrogation, it was further discovered that the vessel had onboard 17 crew members of Nigerian nationality.”

Ayo-Vaughan said the vessel has a storage capacity of about 15,000 metric tonnes, adding that it loaded about 500 metric tonnes of crude oil at the time of arrest.

According to him, the arrest of MT VINNALARIS 1 LAGOS, attests to the Nigerian Navy’s determination to curb crude oil theft and all manner of illegalities in Nigeria’s maritime domain.

He warned that the Nigerian navy would use all legitimate means at disposal to track and arrest perpetrators of illegalities in Nigeria’s maritime environment.

Ayo-Vaughan solicited the cooperation of patriotic and well-meaning members of public to promptly report any form of criminality, especially in the coastal communities to the navy for necessary action.