NNPC intercepts 800,000L Capacity vessel with stolen crude oil

A private security company, employed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has been revealed to have intercepted a vessel carrying 800,000 litre of stolen crude oil en route to Cameroon.

This was revealed by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer NNPC Ltd. Abuja, Garba Deen Muhammad via his Twitter handle.

The Vessel was said to belong to a Nigerian Company known as Holab Maritime Services Limited and was captured with the captain and crew members on board.

Garba said , “Following the receipt of credible intelligence, a Private Security Contractor engaged by NNPC Ltd., Messrs. Tantita Security Services, intercepted a suspicious Vessel with a Cargo of Crude oil on board on July 7, 2023. The Vessel, MT TURA II (IMO number: 6620462), owned by a Nigerian Registered Company, HOLAB MARITIME SERVICES LIMITED with Registration Number RC813311, was heading to Cameroun with the Cargo on board when it was apprehended at an offshore location. with the Captain and Crew members on board.”

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the crude oil cargo onboard was illegally sourced from a well jacket offshore Ondo State, Nigeria. There was no valid documentation for the Vessel or the Crude Oil Cargo onboard at the time of the arrest. Further investigation into the activities of the vessel at the NNPC Ltd. Command and Control Centre also revealed that the Vessel has been operating in stealth mode for the last twelve (12) years”. He stated

“The last reported location of the Vessel was Tin Can Port in July 2011. Details of this arrest and the outcomes of the investigations were escalated to the appropriate Governmental authorities, upon which it was concluded to destroy the Vessel to serve as a strong warning and deterrent to all those participating in such illegal activities to cease and desist.

Garba continued “Destroying vessels involved in transporting stolen crude oil is of paramount importance as a strong deterrent. The illegal trade of stolen crude oil inflicts significant economic losses on Nigeria and legitimate stakeholders in the oil industry and perpetuates a cycle of corruption, environmental devastation, and social instability. NNPC Ltd. assures Nigerians that we will sustain the momentum in the war against crude oil theft until it is brought to a halt.”

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