The interception occurred on Wednesday, while the 1,117-ton vessel carrying around 8,100 barrels of petroleum was being accompanied by some naval officers.
According to Tanita Security, the vessel, dubbed MT Praisel, was flying a Togolese flag and was being escorted by a Navy vessel led by a senior naval captain.
Tanita Security Outfit is a private security firm owned by Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, an ex-Niger Delta agitator who recently received a contract from the Federal Government to protect oil pipelines.
The Tanita operatives claimed they were confronted with opposition by the navy boat escorting the vessel, and that the naval commander vowed to deal with them decisively. But the private operators claimed they would not back down.
However, they eventually contacted National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Chief of Naval Staff Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, who approved them to inspect the warship.
The security company claims that upon entering the ship, they noticed that the vessel was authorised to carry products by the navy but did not have any approvals from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the authority responsible for the regulation of Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum operations, for this particular voyage.
Experts estimate that the loss might affect up to 25% of the country’s crude oil production. The recent withdrawal of the petrol subsidy sparked national protests by labour groups.
Another ex-Niger Delta agitator, Asari Dokubo, recently informed journalists at the State House during a meeting with President Bola Tinubu that some corrupt military officers are participating in the theft of Nigeria’s petroleum.
