Navy thwarts suspected crude oil theft, arrests tanker off Lagos coast

In a swift operation demonstrating its commitment to maritime security, the Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT under the leadership of Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga has arrested a motor tanker, SAISNIL II, suspected of engaging in illegal activities off the Lagos coast.

The vessel, flying the flag of St. Vincent & Grenadines, was apprehended with 11 crew members onboard after raising suspicion by switching off its Automatic Identification System (AIS), a statement by the Base Information Officer of the Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT, Lieutenant H Ibrahim said.

Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral MB Hassan, explained that turning off the AIS is a serious offense as it conceals a vessel’s activities.

He stated that the suspicious act prompted the deployment of the Nigerian Navy Ship SOKOTO, which intercepted the SAISNIL II after a 199-nautical-mile chase and escorted it back to Lagos Anchorage for further investigation.

According to the Flag Officer, initial details indicate that the SAISNIL II sailed from Lagos Anchorage on November 23rd, 2023, to Taraba Jetty in Port Harcourt to collect 720,000 liters of crude oil sludge.

However, its prolonged AIS manipulation around the ABO Field for over 48 hours triggered alarms of potential illegal activity.

He stated that samples of the product onboard has been taken for analysis at the appropriate laboratory and the outcome of the analysis will determine the next line of action.

He further stated that the vessel is opened to any agency that wants to get samples onboard for analysis to confirm the product onboard.

According to him, this became necessary as the Nigerian Navy remains resolute in ensuring transparency towards ensuring holistic maritime security.

“The successful detection leveraging technology and arrest of MT SAISNIL II despite the distance from the coast aligns with key priorities of the Strategic Directives of Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, Chief of the Naval Staff, emphasizing the Navy’s unweaving commitment to eradicating crude oil theft within the nations maritime environment for economic prosperity of our dear nation,” the statement said.