The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has detained a Motor Tanker (MT) SAISNIL II on suspicion of involvement in crude oil theft.
According to Lieutenant Hussaini Ibrahim, the Base Information Officer, the vessel, flying the flag of St. Vincent and Grenadines, raised suspicions when it deactivated its Automatic Identification System (AIS). This act alone constituted a serious violation, rendering its activities within Nigerian waters untraceable. Consequently, patrol boat NNS SOKOTO was dispatched to apprehend the vessel and return it to Lagos Anchorage.
At the time of the arrest, the vessel was manned by 11 crew members and was located 199 nautical miles off Lagos Anchorage. The vessel’s journey from Lagos Anchorage to Taraba Jetty in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to transport approximately 720,000 liters of crude oil sludge raised suspicions due to the manipulation of its AIS around the ABO Field for over 48 hours.
Samples of the product onboard have been collected and sent for analysis. Other stakeholders interested in conducting independent testing are encouraged to come forward. The outcome of the analysis will determine subsequent actions.
The successful detection and arrest of MT SAISNIL II, despite its distance from the coast, align with the Strategic Directives of Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, Chief of the Naval Staff. This underscores the Navy’s unwavering commitment to eradicating crude oil theft in Nigeria’s maritime environment for the economic prosperity of the nation.
