The Nigerian Navy announced on Thursday the apprehension of a 77-meter-long Motor Tanker, MT VINNALARIS 1 LAGOS, for its involvement in crude oil theft. This operation was conducted by the Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Igbokoda, Ondo State. The announcement came in a statement from Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, Director of Naval Information, in Abuja.
According to Ayo-Vaughan, the vessel, with 17 crew members on board, was caught red-handed siphoning crude oil from a wellhead at the EBESAN oil field, located approximately 7 nautical miles off the coast of the Awoye riverine community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
According to a report by the Daily Post, the Nigerian Navy deployed personnel from FOB Igbokoda swiftly upon receiving credible intelligence about the illegal activities at the location. As the anti-crude oil theft patrol team approached MT Vinnalaris 1 LAGOS, two boats attached to the vessel fled, confirming the vessel’s involvement in illegal activities.
Upon arriving at the scene, naval personnel discovered the vessel actively siphoning crude oil from the wellhead. Further investigation and interrogation revealed that all 17 crew members on board were of Nigerian nationality.
Ayo-Vaughan highlighted that the vessel had a storage capacity of about 15,000 metric tonnes and had already loaded approximately 500 metric tonnes of crude oil at the time of its arrest.
The Commodore emphasized that the capture of MT VINNALARIS 1 LAGOS demonstrates the Nigerian Navy’s firm commitment to curbing crude oil theft and other illegal activities in Nigeria’s maritime domain. He issued a stern warning that the Navy would continue to employ all legitimate means at its disposal to track down and apprehend perpetrators of maritime illegalities.
The successful operation by the Nigerian Navy not only disrupts the illegal oil trade but also reinforces the country’s efforts to protect its maritime resources and uphold the rule of law at sea.
