Published
5 months agoon
Seventeen persons have been taken into custody by the Nigerian Navy on suspicion of illicitly syphoning crude oil from Ondo State.
In a statement, the Navy spokesperson, Commodore Adedotun Olukayode Ayo-Vaughan, revealed this and said that the suspects were apprehended early on Thursday at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Igbokoda.
The Motor Tanker (MT) VINNALARIS 1 Lagos, measuring 77 metres in length, was also intercepted by the naval authorities.
He said, “The vessel had seventeen crew members when it was apprehended. It was discovered engaging in illicit crude oil syphoning from one of the well heads at the EBESAN oil field, approximately seven nautical miles off the coast of the Awoye riverine community in the Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.”
The vessel was apprehended due to reliable information obtained by the Base of the illicit actions of thieves of crude oil at the site. This information facilitated the prompt deployment of FOB IGBOKODA troops to ensure the arrest of the vessel and its crew.
Notably, the two boats attached to the vessel retreated when the anti-Crude Oil Theft Patrol Team of FOB IGBOKODA approached MT VINNALARIS 1 LAGOS and saw the navy officers, confirming the vessel’s involvement in unlawful activity.
According to a naval spokeswoman, when the ship arrived on the scene, it was found to be actively engaged in extracting crude oil from both sides of the wellhead.
Ayo-Vaughan stated that as a result of more searching and questioning, it was found that there were 17 crew members of Nigerian nationality on board the ship.
According to the naval spokeswoman, the ship had about 500 metric tonnes of crude oil loaded when it was arrested, and it has a storage capacity of roughly 15,000 metric tonnes.
He stated that the Nigerian Navy’s resolve to stop crude oil theft and other forms of illegality in Nigeria’s maritime domain is demonstrated by the arrest of MT VINNALARIS 1 LAGOS.
The Nigerian Navy will employ all legal means at its disposal to find and apprehend anyone who commit crimes in Nigeria’s marine environment, thus all criminals and their allies are officially warned.
“The Nigerian Navy requests the assistance of patriotic and well-meaning members of the public to promptly report any form of criminalities, especially in the coastal communities for necessary action,” Ayo-Vaughan stated. “While individuals carrying out legitimate business are advised to go about their legitimate activities,” Ayo-Vaughan added.
See the full statement below:
CRUDE OIL THEFT: NIGERIAN NAVY ARRESTS MOTOR TANKER VINNALARIS 1 LAGOS FOR CRUDE OIL THEFT
Signed
AO AYO-VAUGHAN Commodore
Director of Information
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