On Thursday, a local private security group called Tantita, working in collaboration with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) to combat crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, reported intercepting a navy-escorted vessel carrying approximately 8,100 barrels of illegal crude oil.
This incident occurred amidst the federal government’s concern over the significant economic losses inflicted on Nigeria, amounting to N2.3 trillion in 12 months, due to the illegal trade of stolen crude oil.
Operatives learned that they intercepted the vessel in the Koko area of Delta State while some naval officers were escorting the 1,117-ton vessel carrying the crude.
The matter came to public knowledge after operatives exposed the vessel, MT Praisel, which was flying a Togolese flag and was being escorted by a Navy boat led by a senior naval commander.
The Tanita operatives said they were met with resistance from the navy boat escorting the vessel and that the naval commander threatened to deal decisively with the crew.
However, it was gathered that the local security group eventually contacted the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, who subsequently gave them the go-ahead to inspect the vessel.
When they gained access to the vessel, the security company said they noticed that the vessel was authorized to carry products by the navy. but did not have any approvals from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The NMDPRA serves as the regulatory authority for midstream and downstream petroleum operations in Nigeria, including vital voyages.
Experts believe Nigeria might be experiencing a significant loss, potentially up to 25% of the nation’s crude oil production. Former Niger Delta agitator Asari Dokubo shared with journalists at the State House, following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu, that certain corrupt military officers were implicated in the theft of Nigeria’s crude oil.
