Determined to combat illegal bunkering which has been identified as a form of economic sabotage, two strategic institutions, the Nigerian Navy and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have reiterated their resolve to deploy all necessary measures to checkmate the ugly trend in Nigeria’s territorial waters.
In furtherance of this, the Nigerian Navy, on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 in Bonny, Rivers State, handed over two vessels, MT BRIGHT HOPE and MV JOHANNA it arrested along the Bonny Channel to the EFCC.
Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB), Bonny, Capt. Rafiu Oladejo told Kristina Reports that both vessels were arrested on Wednesday, July 14, and Saturday, September 10, 2021, respectively, for their involvement in crude oil theft, possession of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), switching off of their Automatic Identification System (AIS), and non-possession of regulatory documents from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) at the point of contact with the Navy.
According to the senior naval officer, MT BRIGHT HOPE was arrested offshore Bonny on Saturday, September 10, 2021, after being identified as a vessel flying Togolese flag with 13 crew members (12 Nigerians and 1 Ghanaian), and carrying 1,371,256 liters of allegedly stolen crude and 62,431 liters of illegally refined AGO.
He further disclosed that the infractions held against the vessel also included switching off its Automatic Identification System (AIS) from Wednesday, July 24 to Friday, September 10, 2021 when it was arrested, adding that the vessel, as at the time of its arrest, did not have NIMASA documents onboard.
Capt. Oladejo disclosed that MV JOHANNA II, which was identified as a supply vessel flying Nigerian flag with 12 crew members, all Nigerians, was arrested by his operatives on Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at the Bonny Fairway Buoy close to the IMA Terminal with 394,000 liters of AGO without Nigerian Navy approval and with its Automatic Identification System (AIS) switched off, noting that these were the reasons for the arrest of the vessel.
“It is very disturbing that MT BRIGHT HOPE was arrested with over 1,371,256 liters of crude oil and we all know what this will translate to in Naira. Same vessel was arrested with over 62,431 liters of illegally refined AGO in some of its compartments without approval. If every vessel in this act continues to perpetuate this crime un-arrested it means that Nigeria could be in trouble.”
“We are here for the handing over of two vessels MT BRIGHT HOPE and MV JOHANNA II that will be handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. This vessel was arrested on the 14th of July 2021 for committing infractions on crude oil theft, and possession of illegally refined AGO.”
He maintained that the vision of the current Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo to deploy all necessary measures to curb economic sabotage remains the focus of the Nigerian Navy, stressing that the Navy was committed to discharging its constitutional mandate of securing the Nigerian Maritime space.
“The Nigerian Navy, under the leadership of Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo in line with his vision and mission for the Nigerian Navy, will continue to do whatever it takes to ensure that economic criminals don’t go un-arrested and unpunished.”
“The Nigeria Navy pursuant to its constitutional mandate of policing the Nigerian maritime space towards ensuring the nation’s economic prosperity and national security, has never relented in that effort and this handover is a demonstration of this.”
On his part, representative of the EFCC, Arasah Shaka stated that upon taking over the two vessels handed over to the Commission, investigations would be conducted to ascertain the offences leveled against them, while prosecution will follow after the conclusion of investigations.
He noted that the EFCC has made tremendous progress in the fight against economic crimes such as oil theft, illegal bunkering and sundry crimes, saying that this trend would be sustained.
“I am here today for the official taking over of the arrested vessel MT BRIGHT HOPE and MV JOHANNA II. Upon taking over of these vessels, we commence investigation immediately and thereafter prosecute them if found guilty of the offence.”
“Over the years we have been experiencing a lot of conviction of persons, both arrested vessel and yahoo cases, this not the first vessel we are taking over in due course you get the update of this investigation.”
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