The Nigerian Navy (NN) has reacted to the arrest of Motor Tanker (MT) PRAISEL by operatives of Tantita Security Service Nigeria Ltd (TSSL) in Koko, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.
TSSNL, a pipeline surveillance company owned by former agitators, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo)’s security outfit, working under a contract by the Federal Government.
The vessel, MT Praisel, suspected to be laden with illegal crude oil and being accompanied by naval officers, was arrested Wednesday, August 2, by TSSNL operatives.
The vessel with 1, 117 tons capacity, was said to be carrying about 8,100 barrels of suspected crude oil and was being allegedly escorted by some naval officers allegedly led by a commodore.
Reacting to the purported arrest in a statement signed by the Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Commodore AO Ayo Vaughan, on Friday, the navy said MT Praisel was 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.
Vaughan, who’s the Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, stated thus:
“MT PRAISEL, was duly approved by 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.”
“In-line with 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.
“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 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 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 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.
“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.
“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 impediment 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.
“The NN under the able leadership of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, is poised to ensure transparency and renewed effort towards inter-agency cooperation and synergy in the fight against illegalities and criminality in Nigeria’s Maritime Environment particularly oil theft.”
TSSNL had earlier said they met a stiff resistance from the navy officers on boat escorting the vessel and that the naval commander threatened to deal decisively with them.
The operatives added that they refused to back down, but eventually contacted the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, who then authorised they should inspect the vessel.
On inspection, they noticed that the vessel was authorised to carry products by the navy, but did not have any approvals from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the authority saddled with the regulation of the midstream and downstream petroleum operations in Nigeria, for the voyage.
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