By KENNEDY SHEYIN

The Nigerian Navy, under Operation DELTA SENTINEL has intercepted and arrested a vessel suspected of fuel and crude oil theft within Nigeria’s maritime domain and its 12 crew members.

The Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho in an operation report revealed that the operation was carried out in the early hours of Thursday.

Folorunsho also said that the operation was based on credible intelligence from the navy’s surveillance systems and sustained monitoring platforms.

According to him, naval personnel acting swiftly on the intelligence intercepted the suspect vessel MT FILIA at Utue Terminal, Akwa Ibom, while allegedly involved in the siphoning of stolen crude oil from an oil well terminal jacket.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the vessel was carrying an estimated 32.82 metric tonnes of Fuel Oil and 650 metric tonnes of crude oil without the requisite documentation or lawful authorisation.

“Consequently, the vessel, its crew of 12, and the recovered cargo were taken into custody for further investigation and possible prosecution in accordance with extant laws.”

The director of naval information quoted the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, as commending the professionalism, vigilance and commitment of the personnel involved in the successful operation.

The CNS reaffirmed that the navy remained resolute in its determination to eliminate crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other forms of maritime criminality that undermined Nigeria’s economic prosperity and national security.

He noted that Operation DELTA SENTINEL, inaugurated to combat crude oil theft and associated economic sabotage had continued to deliver measurable operational successes.

“The operation utilises persistent surveillance, intelligence-driven operations and close collaboration with other security agencies and critical stakeholders across the maritime sector”, he said.

Abbas recalled that the navy had between April and June recovered over 4.7 million litres of petroleum product, deactivated over 58 illegal refining sites, destroyed over 239 dugout pits and 13 refining ovens, and arrested more than 91 suspects connected to crude oil theft under the operation.

“This feat coincides with the upsurge in national crude oil production to 1.89 million barrels per day in July, surpassing Nigeria’s OPEC production quota”, he said.

The CNS reaffirmed that the service remained committed to supporting national efforts to increase crude oil production, protect critical oil and gas infrastructure, and maintaining a secured maritime environment conducive to economic growth.

He encouraged members of the public to provide credible information that could assist the navy and other security agencies in combating crude oil theft and other maritime crimes. (NAN)

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