We will continue to burn vessels seized with stolen crude, declares Navy

The Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Umar Chugali, has declared that the Nigerian Navy will continue to set ablaze vessels intercepted with stolen crude oil until its extant regulations are reviewed.

Chugali explained that the burning of intercepted vessels with stolen crude oil was the Navy’s standard operating procedure.

The FOC made the declaration on Monday during a familiarisation tour of naval units under his mandate at the Navy Base, Warri, Delta State.

Recall that the military on July 11 set ablaze a Cameroon-bound vessel, MT TURA II, laden with 150 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil.

The burning of the vessel raised questions among Nigerians, including the House of Representatives.

But speaking with journalists on Monday, Chugali said, “So far, every naval personnel, unit and establishment is operating under that SOP, which, for now, is very effective until any other means is devised. We are operating by SOP and also within extant regulations.”

According to him, burning intercepted vessels with stolen crude “has been discovered, for now, as the immediate response to ensure that those illegalities on the maritime domain do not exist.”

“Maybe, later it could be reviewed,” he said.