Oil Theft: Navy Intercepts Vessel, Tugboat

Nigerian Navy Ship

The Central Naval Command on Tuesday said it had intercepted a vessel and tug boat suspected to be involved in oil theft.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the vessel registered as MT DERA and tugboat, RUNNER CHARLEY, as well as 11 crew members are in custody of the Navy.

A statement issued by Lieutenant Commander Eddie Yeibo on behalf of the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Central Naval Command, said the seizure followed intelligence report. The statement added that the vessel and tugboat were apprehended at Eremor 1 Marginal Oil Field located off Peretorugbene in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

It stated that the vessel was laden with 6,000 metric tonnes of suspected stolen crude oil.

“The barge was arrested at a point where there was no loading point,” the FOC, CNC, Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman, was quoted to have said.

“But rather, the crude was suspected to be stolen from a well head at the Eremor 1 Marginal Field.”

The statement warned that there would be no hiding place for oil thieves within the command’s area of responsibility.

It assured that the Navy would continue to make the illegal business of crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other sundry crimes unattractive.