Ondo: Navy apprehends 17 individuals and seizes ship carrying stolen crude oil

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

1. The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) IGBOKODA in Ondo on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at about 10:00 p.m. detected and arrested, in the early hours of Thursday, December 7, 2023, at about 3 a.m., a 77-metre-long motor tanker (MT) VINNALARIS 1 LAGOS. The vessel, which had 17 crew members onboard at the time of arrest, was caught engaging in illegal syphoning of crude oil from one of the well heads at the EBESAN oil field, about 7 nautical miles off the coast of the Awoye riverine community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. The apprehension of the vessel was based on 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 enforce the arrest of the vessel and her crew.

• Notably, as the anti-crude oil theft patrol team of FOB IGBOKODA approached MT VINNALARIS 1 LAGOS, the two boats attached to the vessel fled upon sighting the naval personnel, which confirmed the engagement of the vessel in illegality. Upon arrival at the scene, naval personnel discovered that the vessel actively siphoned crude oil from both sides of the well head. Upon further search and interrogation, authorities discovered that the vessel had 17 crew members of Nigerian nationality on board. The vessel’s storage capacity is about 15,000 metric tonnes, and as of the time of arrest, she had loaded about 500 metric tonnes of crude oil.

• 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. All criminals and their cohorts are hereby warned that the Nigerian Navy will use all legitimate means at its disposal to track and arrest perpetrators of illegalities in Nigeria’s maritime environment. While individuals carrying out legitimate business are advised to go about their legitimate activities, the Navy solicits the cooperation of patriotic and well-meaning members of the public to promptly report any form of criminality, especially in coastal communities, to the Nigerian Navy for necessary action.

• Furthermore, it is believed that Tantita Security Service (TSS) is involved in these illegalities because the Awoye riverine area, which is close to the place of arrest, is covered by TSS. Again, it was upon the arrest of the vessel by the Nigerian Navy that TSS began to raise a false alarm, totally unfounded and indeed mischievous. Nonetheless, the Nigerian Navy remains resolute in the pursuit of her constitutional mandate for the protection of Nigeria’s maritime environment for national economic development and prosperity.

• You are kindly requested to disseminate this information.

Signed

AO AYO-VAUGHAN Commodore

Director of Information