Five ships
fully loaded with about 1.913 million litres of diesel valued at N240 million
have been impounded by the Nigerian Navy in Rivers State.
fully loaded with about 1.913 million litres of diesel valued at N240 million
have been impounded by the Nigerian Navy in Rivers State.
The Flag
Officer Commanding the Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Atiku Abdulkadir,
who addressed newsmen in Onne, Rivers State Tuesday on the interception of the
ships, alleged that the products were stolen.
Officer Commanding the Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Atiku Abdulkadir,
who addressed newsmen in Onne, Rivers State Tuesday on the interception of the
ships, alleged that the products were stolen.
Three of the
ships, MT Mona, MT Alice and MT Purity were laden with 911,520, 600,000 and
400,000 litres of diesel refined illegally.
ships, MT Mona, MT Alice and MT Purity were laden with 911,520, 600,000 and
400,000 litres of diesel refined illegally.
The two other vessels and two barges, according to him, were said to be empty
but were equally arrested for committing other offences.
but were equally arrested for committing other offences.
He told
newsmen, “MV Solution III; MT Trader and two barges, Atlantic I and Atlantic II
with varying tonnage capacities were all empty at the time of arrest.
newsmen, “MV Solution III; MT Trader and two barges, Atlantic I and Atlantic II
with varying tonnage capacities were all empty at the time of arrest.
“The ships and
barges were arrested for various offences which included lifting and
transportation of illegally refined products; none approval to operate in the
area; competency, among others.
barges were arrested for various offences which included lifting and
transportation of illegally refined products; none approval to operate in the
area; competency, among others.
“For example,
MT Purity had product which laboratory test revealed was a mixture of
adulterated Automotive Gas Oil and cooked oil, which is illegally refined.
MT Purity had product which laboratory test revealed was a mixture of
adulterated Automotive Gas Oil and cooked oil, which is illegally refined.
“Similarly, the
ship is carrying AIS identification that is not her own or converted – which
ultimately creates multiple identification aimed to deceive unsuspecting
security personnel.
ship is carrying AIS identification that is not her own or converted – which
ultimately creates multiple identification aimed to deceive unsuspecting
security personnel.
“Also, the
captain of the ship neither has approval or certificate to operate a merchant
tanker ship, while his crew members lacked competency to justify them serving
onboard the ship.”
captain of the ship neither has approval or certificate to operate a merchant
tanker ship, while his crew members lacked competency to justify them serving
onboard the ship.”
