In a proactive operation, the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) IGBOKODA in Ondo successfully detected and apprehended the Motor Tanker (MT) VINNALARIS 1 LAGOS, a 77-meter-long vessel, on Thursday, December 7, 2023, at approximately 3:00 am. The vessel, carrying 17 crew members, was engaged in the illicit siphoning of crude oil from a wellhead at the EBESAN oil field, situated about 7 nautical miles off the coast of Awoye riverine community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
In a statement, Director of Information Nigerian Navy Commodore AO Ayo-Vaughan, the vessel’s apprehension was prompted by credible intelligence received by FOB IGBOKODA regarding the illegal activities of crude oil thieves in the region. Responding swiftly to the intelligence, FOB IGBOKODA personnel executed the arrest operation with precision.
As the anti-Crude Oil Theft Patrol Team approached MT VINNALARIS 1 LAGOS, two boats attached to the vessel attempted to flee upon sighting naval personnel, confirming the vessel’s involvement in illicit activities. Upon closer inspection at the scene, it was revealed that the vessel was actively siphoning crude oil from both sides of the wellhead. Subsequent search and interrogation exposed that the vessel was manned by 17 Nigerian crew members and had a storage capacity of approximately 15,000 metric tonnes, with 500 metric tonnes of crude oil already loaded at the time of arrest.
The arrest of MT VINNALARIS 1 LAGOS underscores the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment to combating crude oil theft and illegalities within Nigeria’s maritime domain. The Navy issued a stern warning to criminals and their collaborators, emphasizing its resolve to employ all legitimate means to track and apprehend perpetrators of maritime illegalities.
