‘Vessel approved by NMDPRA’ — navy speaks on alleged crude oil theft

The Nigerian Navy has urged the general public to avoid making assumptions about the alleged stolen oil shipment until the laboratory tests and investigations are complete, noting that the vessel was approved by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

The military agency’s statement comes on the heels of reports that Tanita Security Services, on Wednesday, intercepted the MT Praisel vessel, carrying crude oil suspected to have been stolen in the Koko area of Delta state.

Tanita Security is a private security company owned by Government Ekpemupolo, who is also known as Tompolo — is a former Niger Delta agitator.

The vessel was reportedly flying a Togolese flag and was being escorted by a navy boat led by a senior naval commander.

In a statement on Friday, Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, the Nigerian navy spokesperson, said the navy is awaiting the results of laboratory tests and in-depth investigations into the allegation of stolen oil.

“The attention of the naval headquarters has been drawn to publications and news reports in the media on the arrest of Motor Tanker (MT) PRAISEL by a private security outfit, Tantita Security Service Limited (TSSL) for suspected illegal oil bunkering,” the statement reads.

“The publication further alleged that the vessel was escorted by a Nigerian navy (NN) boat and it averred that TSSL’s operation had the backing of the national security adviser and chief of the naval staff.

“To put the record straight and avoid the misrepresentation of facts to unsuspecting members of the public as portrayed, MT PRAISEL was duly approved by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to load 1,114,721 litres of high pour fuel oil (HPFO) from Greenmac Energy Storage/Tarus Jetty Koko from 26 July – 8 August 2023.

“This has been substantiated by NMDPRA. In line with the standard operating procedure (SOP) and to ensure strict compliance with the NMDPRA approval, NN personnel were deployed onboard to monitor the discharge of the product by MT PRAISEL at a facility at Bonny.

“However, on 2 August 2023, TSSL claiming to act on intelligence alleged that the vessel was laden with stolen crude oil and, thereafter approached an element of Operation DELTA SAFE to board the vessel in order to verify the alleged stolen product.

“Accordingly, the NN directed the vessel to Forward Operating Base Escravos anchorage for further investigation of the product onboard. The samples of the product onboard MT PRAISEL were collected on Thursday 3 August 2023  by 5 agencies including NNPCL, NMDPRA, and also TSSL in line with laid procedures for laboratory test and verification of the claim.”

NAVY CAUTIONS MARITIME STAKEHOLDERS AGAINST IMPEDING LEGITIMATE BUSINESSES

Ayo-Vaughan said all stakeholders in the maritime sector should refrain from hindering legitimate commercial activities and businesses in the maritime environment, as this could have serious consequences for the country’s economy.

“As the lead agency in the fight against maritime crimes, the NN has always been at the vanguard of supporting every single effort to halt economic saboteurs of our country,” he said.

“Therefore, while it is desirable for all hands to be on deck in the fight against crude oil theft, necessary precaution must be adhered to by all stakeholders to avoid unnecessary impediments to legitimate commercial activities and businesses in the maritime environment that have far-reaching consequences for the nation’s economy.

“The NN, therefore, appeals to the general public to await the laboratory test result of the product and in-depth investigations on allegation.”