Stolen Oil-laden Vessel Escorted By Navy Officers Intercepted In Delta

Operatives of a private security firm, Tanita Security Services, have intercepted a vessel carrying crude oil suspected to have been stolen in the Koko area of Delta State.

Naija News gathered that the 1,117 tons vessel carrying about 8,100 barrels of crude and was escorted by some naval officers was reportedly intercepted on Wednesday.

It was gathered that the security firm which is owned by an ex-Niger Delta agitator, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, said that the vessel tagged MT Praisel, was flying a Togolese flag and was being escorted by a Navy boat led by a senior Naval Commander.

Tanita security firm said its operatives were met with resistance from the navy boat escorting the vessel, and that the naval commander threatened to deal decisively with them, but the private operatives said they refused to back down.

According to the company, it eventually contacted the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, who authorised them to inspect the vessel.

Upon entrance into the ship, the security company said it noticed that the vessel was authorized to carry products by the navy but did not have any approvals from Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).