A private security contractor employed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Tantita Security Services, has successfully intercepted a suspicious vessel with a capacity of 800,000 liters carrying stolen crude oil.
The vessel, named MT TURA II and owned by HOLAB Maritime Services Limited, a Nigerian registered company, was apprehended while en route to Cameroon. It was found in an offshore location with the captain and crew members aboard.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the crude oil cargo onboard was illegally sourced from an offshore well in Ondo State, Nigeria. The vessel and the crude oil cargo had no valid documentation at the time of the arrest.
Further investigations at the NNPC Ltd Command and Control Centre revealed that the vessel had been operating discreetly for the past 12 years. Its last reported location was at Tin Can Port in July 2011.
The authorities have been informed of the arrest and the investigation findings. It was decided that the vessel should be destroyed as a strong warning and deterrent to other perpetrators. This is crucial in the fight against crude oil theft, which causes significant economic losses, environmental damage, and social instability.
NNPC Ltd reassures Nigerians that the battle against crude oil theft will be relentless until it is completely eradicated.
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