Nigeria Arrests 76 Vessels, Seizes 171,000 Barrels Of Crude Oil To Combat Oil Theft

Over the past two years, the Nigerian Navy has detained 76 vessels and more than 242 individuals linked to oil theft. During this period, the Navy destroyed over 800 illegal oil refining sites.

Widespread oil theft from pipelines and wells has severely impacted Nigeria’s oil industry in recent years, reducing government revenue and hindering export activities. The Navy has been working to stop these losses by targeting criminal groups operating in oil-producing areas.

At a briefing in Abuja, Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla said that since June 2023, the Navy had seized around 171,000 barrels of stolen crude oil. He also stated that millions of litres of illegally refined fuel were recovered during various operations.

Ogalla said the Navy started inspecting oil cargoes at Nigeria’s five main export terminals in January to stop oil theft and smuggling. This step was taken to track shipments and prevent smuggling from the point of origin.

The Navy has added new patrol boats and three new ships to its fleet to boost its operations. It has also acquired three AW 139 Trekker helicopters for better aerial surveillance. Additionally, two seaward defense boats are currently under construction.

Ogalla also said that the Navy will soon receive two 76-meter-long offshore patrol vessels from Dearsan Shipyard in Turkey. These new assets are expected to help the Navy improve its presence and patrol ability across Nigeria’s coastal waters.

Reference: Reuters

Source: Maritime Shipping News