The Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft Operation Delta Sanity has confirmed that they intercepted a Ghana-owned motor tanker, SWEET MIRI, for allegedly being involved in crude oil theft.
According to a statement released by the Navy over the weekend, the vessel was seized 174 nautical miles away from the Nigerian coast, approximately 320 kilometers, while heading to Benin Republic.
The NNS Base Information Officer, Lieutenant H Ibrahim, stated that the SWEET MIRI motor tanker had 13 crew members on board at the time of the arrest—one Ghanaian and 12 Nigerians.
Rear Admiral MB Hassan, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, mentioned in the statement that the vessel was carrying around two million liters of the suspected product without proper authorization.
It was reported that the vessel intentionally turned off its Automatic Identification System on February 25, 2024, in an attempt to avoid detection.
Hassan also mentioned that the violation led to the dispatch of Ship ABA to inspect the vessel, which was found to be transporting substances believed to be crude oil.
He added that NNS Sokoto was sent to enhance the search and intercept the vessel.
The statement read, “The Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT under the strategic leadership of Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga who is also the Maritime Component Commander Operation AWATSE, arrested a vessel, Motor Tanker SWEET MIRI suspected to have been involved in crude oil theft. The vessel had 13 crew, one Ghanaian and 12 Nigerians.
“The MT vessel has been a vessel of interest to the Nigerian Navy and she was arrested 174 nautical miles off the coast of Nigeria, approximately 320 kilometres, heading to the Benin Republic.
“On February 25, 2024, the vessel was observed to have switched off its Automatic Identification System to avoid detection. This necessitated the deployment of the Nigerian Navy Ship ABA to investigate the vessel. Subsequently, she was found carrying products suspected to be crude oil. Thereafter, NNS SOKOTO was deployed to double up the search and interdict the vessel. On arrival, it was discovered that she was carrying about two million litres of the suspected product without approval.”
The FOC disclosed that the ship is owned by a Ghanaian individual and is registered in Ghana.
Moreover, the ship is open for any agency interested in collecting samples for analysis to confirm its involvement.
“In line with the directive of Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, the vessel owned by a Ghanaian and registered in Ghana by a Ghanaian company is opened for other agencies to come and take samples and carry out their independent investigations to find out the culpability of the vessel.”
Regarding the Motor Tanker VINNALARIS that was previously apprehended, the FOC reported that the CNS has ordered comprehensive investigations into all detained vessels, not just focusing on the crew but also uncovering the masterminds.
He also praised the Department of State Services for their assistance in supporting the Nigerian Navy with investigations related to crude oil theft cases.
