Skip to main content

NIGERIA INTERCEPTS SHIP LADENED WITH STOLEN CRUDE OIL


No fewer than 13 suspects including a Ghanaian have been arrested as the Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft, on Operation Delta Sanity, intercepted a vessel, a motor tanker SWEET MIRI, ladened with over 2 million litres of stolen crude oil to the Benin Republic.

Briefing newsmen onboard the vessel, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral MB Hassan stated that the vessel had been a vessel of interest to the Nigerian Navy and she is being arrested on suspicion of crude oil theft.

He added that, on 25 February 2024, the vessel was observed to have switched off its Automatic Identification System to avoid detection. 

The vessel was arrested 174 nautical miles of the coast of Nigeria, approximately 320 kilometers, heading to Benin Republic.

This necessitated the deployment of 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 2 million liters of suspected product without approval.


The FOC further disclosed that, in line with the directive of Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, the ship is opened for other agencies to come and take samples and carry out their own independent investigations to find out the culpability of the vessel.

Also speaking, the FOC said that, the vessel is owned by a Ghanian and registered in Ghana by a Ghanaian company.

“In the same vein, while giving update on the earlier arrested Motor Tanker VINNALARIS, the FOC said that, the CNS has instructed that the investigations of all arrested vessels should be conducted beyond the level of crew. 

In this regard, the FOC has extended the investigation to uncover the kingpins.

He finally appreciated the efforts of DSS for assisting the Nigerian Navy in conducting investigations when matters of crude oil theft are brought to them,” the release by Lieutenant Hussaini Ibrahim, the Base Information Officer, read.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

GOVERNMENT COLLEGE IBADAN OLD STUDENT DOCKED OVER ASSAULT ON FEMALE LAWYER

  An Iyaganku Chief Magistrate court has remanded in prison custody, a 59 year old ex-student of Government College Ibadan, Debo Adegbola over a three count charge bothering on indecent touching, sexual assault and breach of public peace. The accused, who is an automobile dealer who pleaded not guilty to the charges had on Saturday, 17th February, 2024, at a burial party in a popular event center along poly Eleyele road in Ibadan, indecently touched the victim in sensitive parts of her body publicly without her consent. Adebowale, was also said to have slapped the victim, who is an Ibadan based female legal practitioner countless number of times in the process of the assault. Still not satisfied, Debo Adegbola was alleged to have picked up a bottle and smashed it on the head of the victim, thereby breaking her skull in the process, causing her grievious injury leaving her in a pool of blood before she was rushed to a private hospital around Bodija area of Ibadan for first aid treat...

JAGZ HOTEL SET TO REDEFINE LUXURY HOSPITALITY IN AFRICA... ADEGBULUGBE

October 1st, 2024, marked a significant milestone in Nigeria's hospitality industry as JAGZ Hotel, Iyaganku, Ibadan was officially commissioned by Oyo state Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde. The grand commissioning of the luxurious and tastefully finished Five star JAGZ hotel, commenced the redefinition of luxurious hospitality service in Africa and was witnessed by dignitaries and business leaders, who graced the occasion. Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, of JAGZ Ibadan, Dr. Kayode Adegbulugbe praised Governor Makinde's administration for its infrastructure drive, making Oyo State an attractive investment destination. He noted that the last time the Southwest region witnessed such rapid infrastructure development was during the era of Obafemi Awolowo. He said, JAGZ Hotel, constructed in just 21 months by El Sabio construction, showcases Nigeria's indigenous capacity for excellence. He revealed that, the feat, achieved without formal contracts but rather through "spreadsh...

MAGISTRATES & LOWER COURT JUDGES ASSURED OF IMPROVED WELFARE PACKAGE(S) IN NIGERIA

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has assured Magistrates and Judges of the lower courts' of ongoing efforts at improving their welfare packages. Justice Ariwoola, who gave the assurance at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Hybrid Refresher Course for Magistrates and Judges of the Lower Courts in Abuja, commended the judges for their efforts at justice delivery, particularly at the grassroots. He said, proactive steps are being taken to ameliorate these difficulties and improve the overall welfare of Judicial officers and staff of these courts since this invariably has an impact on the quality and pace of their service delivery.”  Speaking further, Justice Ariwoola said, strategic positioning invariably gives the lower courts the most crucial and all-important role in the Justice system, that cannot be underestimated. He explained that the term ‘lower courts’, which is often used in reference to the Magistrate courts, Area courts, Customary courts, as w...