According to a statement released by Lieutenant H Ibrahim, the vessel, named SWEET MIRI, was apprehended approximately 174 nautical miles off the Nigerian coast, equivalent to roughly 320 kilometers, while en route to Benin Republic. The vessel, carrying a total of 13 crew members – one Ghanaian and 12 Nigerians – was transporting around two million liters of the suspected product without proper authorization.
Rear Admiral MB Hassan, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, highlighted that the vessel intentionally disabled its Automatic Identification System on February 25, 2024, in an effort to evade detection. Upon investigation by Nigerian Navy Ship ABA, it was confirmed that the vessel was indeed carrying substances believed to be crude oil. Subsequently, NNS Sokoto was deployed to bolster the search and interception efforts.
Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga, overseeing the operation, stated, “The MT vessel has been a vessel of interest to the Nigerian Navy and she was arrested 174 nautical miles off the coast of Nigeria, approximately 320 kilometers, heading to the Benin Republic.”
The vessel, owned by a Ghanaian individual and registered in Ghana, is now open for inspection by relevant agencies to obtain samples for independent analysis.
Furthermore, Rear Admiral Hassan emphasized the directive from Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral EI Ogalla to conduct thorough investigations into all detained vessels, aiming to uncover not just the involvement of the crew but also the masterminds behind such illegal activities.
The Nigerian Navy has been combating a surge in cases of oil theft and illicit refinery operations across the country, with support from agencies like the Department of State Services, as reported by Naija News.