Navy Seizes Alleged Stolen Crude: 11 Arrested In High-Seas Interception

Navy Seizes Alleged Stolen Crude: 11 Arrested In High-Seas Interception

In a dramatic maritime operation, the Nigerian Navy intercepted the Motor Tanker (MT) SAISNIL II, suspecting its involvement in crude oil theft….RREAD ALSO

Operating under the St. Vincent and Grenadines flag, the vessel aroused suspicion by disabling its Automatic Identification System (AIS), a move considered a serious violation.

Lieutenant Hussaini Ibrahim, the Base Information Officer, revealed that the vessel’s AIS manipulation obscured its activities within Nigerian waters, prompting the deployment of patrol boat NNS SOKOTO. The vessel, located 199 nautical miles off Lagos Anchorage, was apprehended with 11 crew members onboard.

According to Ibrahim, the MT SAISNIL II initially departed Lagos Anchorage to Taraba Jetty in Port Harcourt to transport approximately 720,000 liters of crude oil sludge. However, prolonged AIS manipulation near the ABO Field raised concerns of illicit activities.

Samples of the onboard product were collected for analysis, with the navy inviting other stakeholders for independent testing. The outcome of the analysis will determine subsequent actions.

The successful interception, despite the vessel’s distance from the coast, aligns with the Strategic Directives of Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, emphasizing the navy’s unwavering commitment to combatting crude oil theft for Nigeria’s economic prosperity.