Nigeria’s state-owned oil firm, NNPC Ltd, announced on Monday that it had successfully intercepted an 800,000-liter vessel carrying stolen crude oil off the coast, en route to Cameroon. As a deterrent to oil theft, the vessel would be destroyed, according to NNPC.
NNPC said the stolen oil originated from a well located in the southwestern state of Ondo.
The vessel responsible for transporting the stolen crude, named MT Tura II, was registered under the local company Holab Maritime Services Limited. However, NNPC confirmed that the vessel lacked valid documentation for the oil it was carrying.
The company circulated a video showing the vessel surrounded by armed Nigerian security forces.
Attempts to contact Holab for comments using the numbers listed on its website were unsuccessful.
“Destroying vessels involved in transporting stolen crude oil is of paramount importance as a strong deterrent,” NNPC said.
“The illegal trade of stolen crude oil not only inflicts significant economic losses on Nigeria and legitimate stakeholders in the oil industry, but also perpetuates a cycle of corruption, environmental devastation, and social instability.”
Oil theft from pipelines and wells in the Niger Delta has over the years significantly impeded Nigeria’s output.
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The NNPC said in the statement by its chief corporate communications officer, Garba Deen Muhammad, that the vessel MT Tura II was intercepted on July 7 by private security contractor, Tantita Security Services.
It said the vessel was heading to Cameroon when it was apprehended.
“Further investigation into the activities of the vessel at the NNPC Ltd. Command and Control Centre also revealed that the Vessel has been operating in stealth mode for the last twelve (12) years. The last reported location of the vessel was Tin Can Port in July 2011,” the statement said.
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