Nigerian Navy Nabs
Nigerian Navy Nabs Masterminds of Abduction of Crew
Members
The attention of the Nigerian Navy has been drawn to media reports
relating to the suspected hijack of a Palau flagged Tanker, MT
APECUS, off the coast of Bonny, Nigeria.
The alleged hijack of the vessel occurred on the 19 April 2019,
resulting in the alleged abduction of 7 crew members comprising 5
Indian nationals and 2 Nigerians.
A recent report indicated that the 5 Indians were released by
the pirates who hijacked the vessel.
However, investigations by the Nigerian Navy indicate that this
alleged hijack was not executed by pirates as claimed in the report
but masterminded by a criminal syndicate operating the vessel.
Consequently, the Nigerian Navy has arrested one Mr Osimili
Adah, the agent of the vessel, who confessed to have masterminded
the abduction of the crew of the vessel following a disagreement
within a syndicate involved in crude oil theft.
Mr Adah had since been handed over to the NPF for further
investigation and prosecution.
Furthermore, the Nigerian Navy is making necessary efforts to
debrief the released crew with the view to obtaining intelligence
for future operations towards the arrest of other collaborators in
this saga.
It will be recalled that in a press release, NIMASA alluded to
the involvement of MT APECUS in criminality within Nigerian
waters.
This was based on the fact that the vessel had been conducting
trading activities in Nigerian waters since 2014 without valid
permits or documentation.
NIMASA also observed that the vessel has changed name and the
flag under which the vessel operated at least 15 times since 1993
and made 4 MMSI changes which all point to her suspected
involvement in illegal activities. Furthermore, it was difficult to
ascertain the past movement of the vessel as her Automatic
Identification System (AIS) was often switched off for weeks,
contrary to standard practice.
These developments are considered deliberate acts to avoid
detection. Notwithstanding, the Nigerian Navy remains committed to
curbing the menace of crude oil theft and other forms of
illegalities in Nigeria’s and the larger Gulf of Guinea maritime
domain.
SULEMAN DAHUN
Commodore
for Chief of the Naval Staff
………………….
Alleged Illegal Oil Bunkering: Navy Hands over Vessel to
EFCC
The Nigerian Navy, through the Forward Operating Base, FORMOSO,
Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on Tuesday, July 2, 2019 handed over a
Vessel, MV MESSIAH 1 and Barge MIRACLE arrested for illegal oil
bunkering to the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission, Port
Harcourt’s Zonal Office, for further investigation and possible
prosecution.
The Vessel and Barge were arrested by the Operation Delta Safe’s
patrol team at the Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC, Brass Terminal,
Port Harcourt, Rivers State on March 22, 2019.
The Naval Handing Over Officer, Captain Suleiman Dantosho
Ibrahim said that both MV MESSIAH and Barge MIRACLE were each laden
with 500,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined
Automotive Gas Oil, (AGO).
Principal Detective Superintendent Shehu Jibrilla who received
the Vessel and Barge on behalf of the EFCC, assured the NAVY of
their diligent investigation and possible prosecution.
Tony Orilade
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity
…………………………………………..
Alleged Illegal Oil Bunkering: EFCC Quizzes Seven
Suspected Oil Thieves, Navy Hands over Three
The Nigerian Navy, through the Forward Operating Base, FORMOSO,
Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on Tuesday, July 2, 2019 handed over a
Vessel, MV MESSIAH 1 and Barge MIRACLE arrested for illegal oil
bunkering to the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission, Port
Harcourt’s Zonal Office, for further investigation and possible
prosecution.
The Vessel and Barge were arrested by the Operation Delta Safe’s
patrol team at the Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC, Brass Terminal,
Port Harcourt, Rivers State on March 22, 2019.
The Naval Handing Over Officer, Captain Suleiman Dantosho
Ibrahim said that both MV MESSIAH and Barge MIRACLE were each laden
with 500,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined
Automotive Gas Oil, (AGO).
Principal Detective Superintendent Shehu Jibrilla who received
the Vessel and Barge on behalf of the EFCC, assured the NAVY of
their diligent investigation and possible prosecution.
Similarly, the Zonal Office has commenced investigations of
seven suspected oil thieves and two Barges alleged to be involved
in illegal oil bunkering.
The suspects: Goerge John; Friday Kesiye; Longlife Adam
Nanadighe; Ofuegbe Lukcy; Clement Abogha, Lawrence Brownson Kinanec
and Kenneth Monday and the Barges: Barge KOME XVIII (propelled by
Tug LADY VIRTUE) and Barge NICHOLAS MARINE (propelled by MV AYE)
were arrested by the patrol team of Nigerian Navy, Forward
Operating Base, FORMOSO, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on May 18, 2019 and
handed over to the EFCC, Port Harcourt’s Zonal Office on Tuesday,
July 2, 2019.
According to the Naval Handing Over Officer, Captain Suleiman
Dantosho Ibrahim, the two Barges were each conveying 500 metric
tons of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas
Oil (AGO), without necessary authorization. Four of the suspects
were on board Barge KOME XVIII and the other three suspects were on
board Barge NICHOLAS MARINE when they were arrested.
Principal Detective Superintendent, Shehu Jibrilla, who received
the suspects and the Barges on behalf of the EFCC, assured the NAVY
of diligent investigation and possible prosecution of the
suspects.
Tony Orilade
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity