The NNPC Ltd has announced the capturing of an 800,000-litre capacity vessel that was smuggling crude oil to Cameroon.
NNPCL disclosed that a Private Security Contractor Messrs. Tantita Security Services whom it had engaged, had intercepted the ship and alerted the authorities.
After deliberations, the authorities alongside NNPCL have decided to burn down the expensive vessel which is said to be owned by HOLAB MARITIME SERVICES LIMITED.
This they say is to deter other crude oil thieves as it affects Nigeria’s economy. The vessel in question was also discovered to have been on stealth mode missions for over 12 years.
Meanwhile, Dockaysworld reported that there was unrest in Cameroon over President Bola Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidy in Nigeria due to illegal smuggling.
See full statement below:
PRESS STATEMENT
PRIVATE SECURITY CONTRACTORS INTERCEPT 800,000 LITRE CAPACITY VESSEL WITH STOLEN CRUDE OIL
Following the receipt of credible intelligence, a Private Security Contractor engaged by NNPC Ltd., Messrs. Tantita Security Services, intercepted a suspicious Vessel with a Cargo of Crude oil on board on July 7, 2023.
The Vessel, MT TURA II (IMO number: 6620462), owned by a Nigerian Registered Company, HOLAB MARITIME SERVICES LIMITED with Registration Number RC813311, was heading to Cameroun with the Cargo on board when it was apprehended at an offshore location (Latitude: 5.8197194477543235°, Longitude: 4.789002723991871°), with the Captain and Crew members on board.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the crude oil cargo onboard was illegally sourced from a well jacket offshore Ondo State, Nigeria. There was no valid documentation for the Vessel or the Crude Oil Cargo onboard at the time of the arrest.
Further investigation into the activities of the vessel at the NNPC Ltd. Command and Control Centre also revealed that the Vessel has been operating in stealth mode for the last twelve (12) years. The last reported location of the Vessel was Tin Can Port in July 2011.
Details of this arrest and the outcomes of the investigations were escalated to the appropriate Government authorities, upon which it was concluded to destroy the Vessel to serve as a strong warning and deterrent to all those participating in such illegal activities to cease and desist.
Destroying vessels involved in transporting stolen crude oil is of paramount importance as a strong deterrent. The illegal trade of stolen crude oil not only inflicts significant economic losses on Nigeria and legitimate stakeholders in the oil industry, but also perpetuates a cycle of corruption, environmental devastation, and social instability.
NNPC Ltd. assures Nigerians that we will sustain the momentum in the war against crude oil theft until it is brought to a halt.
Garba Deen Muhammad
Chief Corporate Communications Officer
NNPC Ltd.
Abuja
Watch video below
PRESS STATEMENT
PRIVATE SECURITY CONTRACTORS INTERCEPT 800,000 LITRE CAPACITY VESSEL WITH STOLEN CRUDE OIL
Following the receipt of credible intelligence, a Private Security Contractor engaged by NNPC Ltd., Messrs. Tantita Security Services, intercepted a suspicious Vessel with… pic.twitter.com/eWGD7XY0au
— NNPC Limited (@nnpclimited) July 10, 2023
