The ship was stopped 320 kilometers, or 174 nautical miles, off the coast of Nigeria while it was sailing towards the Benin Republic.
Motor Tanker Sweet Miri, a ship registered in Ghana, was taken into custody by the Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft on suspicion of stealing crude oil.
The ship was stopped 320 kilometres, or 174 nautical miles, off the coast of Nigeria while it was sailing towards the Benin Republic.
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Twelve Nigerians and one Ghanaian were among the 13 crew members on board the Nigerian Navy ship Beecroft at the time of its capture, according to a statement made by Lieutenant Hussaini Ibrahim, the base information officer.
Rear Admiral MB Hassan, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) of the Western Naval Command, was described in the statement as saying that the ship was transporting about two million litres of a suspected substance without authorization.
The NNS SOKOTO was sent in to intensify the search and stop the ship, he continued. She was found to be transporting around 2 million liters of suspected goods without authorization when they arrived.
According to the statement, “A vessel, Motor Tanker SWEET MIRI, suspected of being involved in crude oil theft, was arrested by the Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT, under the strategic leadership of Commodore Kolawole Olumide Oguntuga and Maritime Component Commander Operation AWATSE.” Eleven Nigerians and one Ghanaian made up the crew of the ship.
The Nigerian Navy has shown interest in the ship, and it is being detained on suspicion of stealing crude oil, according to Rear Admiral MB Hassan, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) of Western Naval Command, who briefed reporters on board the ship. He continued by saying that in order to avoid being discovered, the ship was seen to have turned off its automatic identification system on February 25, 2024.
The ship was arrested 320 kilometres, or 174 nautical miles, off the coast of Nigeria on its way to the Benin Republic. Due to this, the Nigerian Navy Ship ABA had to be sent out to look into the ship. She was later discovered to be carrying items that may have been crude oil.
NNS SOKOTO was then sent in to intensify the search and stop the ship. She was found to be transporting around 2 million litres of suspected goods without authorization when they arrived.
The FOC also revealed that other agencies are welcome to visit the ship, collect samples, and conduct their own independent investigations to determine the vessel’s liability, per the instruction of Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS). The FOC also stated that a Ghanaian owns the yacht and that a Ghanaian firm registered it there.
In a similar spirit, the FOC stated that the CNS has directed that an inquiry be carried out on all seized vessels that goes above the level of crew while providing an update on the earlier detention of the Motor Tanker VINNALARIS.
“To find the kingpins, the FOC has expanded the probe in this aspect. At last, he expressed gratitude to the DSS for helping the Nigerian Navy with its investigations when they are notified of cases of crude oil theft.
