Nigerian Navy apprehends vessel suspected of crude oil theft

In a recent operation, the Nigerian Navy intercepted a vessel named “Motor Tanker SWEET MIRI” suspected of illegal crude oil activities.

The vessel, carrying a crew of 13 individuals (1 Ghanaian and 12 Nigerians), was apprehended on February 25, 2024, while sailing towards Benin Republic.

Key details:

• The vessel was previously identified by the Nigerian Navy as a potential suspect.
• It raised suspicion by turning off its Automatic Identification System (AIS) to avoid detection.
• The vessel was located 174 nautical miles (approximately 320 kilometers) off the Nigerian coast.
• Upon inspection, the vessel was found carrying around 2 million liters of an unidentified product suspected to be crude oil, without necessary approvals.

Following procedures:

• As per the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, the vessel is open for investigation by other relevant agencies to gather evidence and determine its involvement.
• The Ghanaian-owned and registered vessel will undergo further investigation to identify the masterminds behind this illegal activity, expanding beyond the apprehended crew.

Collaboration and appreciation:

• The Nigerian Navy acknowledges the support of the Department of State Services (DSS) in their ongoing efforts to combat crude oil theft.