The Nigerian Navy stated on Thursday that it arrested a 77-meter-long Motor Tanker, MT VINNALARIS 1 LAGOS, implicated in crude oil theft at its Forward Operating Base, FOB, IGBOKODA, in Ondo State.
This is according to a statement published in Abuja by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan.
Ayo-Vaughan stated that the vessel, which had 17 crew members on board at the time of arrest, was captured illegally syphoning crude oil from one of the well heads at the EBESAN oil field around 7 nautical miles off the coast of Awoye riverine hamlet in Ondo State‘s Ilaje Local Government Area.
He stated that the vessel was apprehended as a result of reliable intelligence acquired by the Base about the illicit actions of crude oil thieves at the site, which prompted the quick deployment of FOB IGBOKODA soldiers to apprehend the vessel and its 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 syphoning crude oil from both sides of the well head.
“Consequently, upon further search and interrogation, it was further discovered that the vessel had onboard 17 crew members of Nigerian nationality,” he said.
Ayo-Vaughan stated that the vessel had a storage capacity of around 15,000 metric tonnes and was carrying approximately 500 metric tonnes of crude oil at the time of arrest.
According to him, the arrest of MT VINNALARIS 1 LAGOS demonstrates the Nigerian Navy’s will to combat crude oil theft and other illegalities in Nigeria’s maritime domain.
He warned that the Nigerian navy will use all legitimate measures at its disposal to seek down and apprehend offenders of maritime crimes in Nigeria.
