By Philip Nwosu
The Nigerian Navy said its operatives have arrested an oil vessel, MT SAISNIL II, which was found carrying about 720,000 liters of crude oil believed to have been stolen from the country’s oil facilities in the Niger Delta area.
flying the flag of St. Vincent & Grenadines, was intercepted along with its 11 crew members.
The vessel, which was seized approximately 199 nautical miles off the coast of Lagos was flying the flag of St. Vincent & Grenadines, when it was intercepted along with its 11 crew members
The Navy in a statement,said the ship was subsequently escorted to Lagos for further investigation, adding that the captain, chief engineer, and other crew members are currently undergoing interrogation.
The Navy said suspicions were raised when the vessel’s Automatic Identification System (AIS) was deliberately disabled, a serious infraction within Nigeria’s maritime jurisdiction. The vessel had set sail from Lagos Anchorage on November 23, 2023, destined for Taraba Jetty in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to transport the crude oil sludge.
Speaking to journalists onboard the vessel , the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral MB Hassan, stated that the vessel was observed to have turned off its Automatic Identification System (AIS), which is a grievous infraction within the nation’s maritime domain, stating that activities of vessel would not be determined when such systems are turned off and such occasions are when illegalities are perpetrated. He further stated that the infraction necessitated the deployment of Nigerian Navy Ship SOKOTO, which sailed 199 nautical miles to intercept and returned the vessel to Lagos Anchorage.
According to the Flag Officer, SAISNIL II initially sailed from Lagos Anchorage on 23 November 2023 to Taraba Jetty in Port Harcourt, Rivers State to evacuate about 720,000 Liters of Crude Oil Sludge but the manipulation of it AIS around ABO Field for over 48 hours gave rise to a reasonable suspicion of illegalities. He stated that samples of the product onboard have been taken for analysis at the appropriate laboratory and the outcome of the analysis will determine the next line of action. He further stated that the vessel is open to any agency that wants to get samples onboard for analysis to confirm the product onboard.
According to him, this became necessary as the Nigerian Navy remains resolute in ensuring transparency towards ensuring holistic maritime security.
The successful detection leveraging technology and arrest of MT SAISNIL II despite the distance from the coast aligns with key priorities of the Strategic Directives of Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, Chief of the Naval Staff, emphasizing the Navy’s unweaving commitment to eradicating crude oil theft within the nations maritime environment for economic prosperity of our dear nation