The Nigerian Navy Ship Delta (NNS Delta) successfully intercepted a truck and barge that were transporting stolen crude oil.
Commander SS Musa disclosed that on Friday, May 11, 2023, at approximately 4:45 pm, the Nigerian Navy Ship Delta’s anti-Crude Oil Theft (COT) patrol team, in collaboration with troops from Sector 1 Headquarters, acted upon credible intelligence and apprehended a sewage disposal truck in the Okpaka area of Udu Local Government Area, Delta State.
The truck was found to be carrying an unspecified amount of suspected stolen crude oil. The driver of the truck abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene. However, through our own intelligence sources, we discovered that the stolen crude oil was intended for delivery to storage tanks at Mawe Services Environmental Solutions, also located in the Okpaka area.
Upon investigation, our patrol team discovered two storage tanks containing an unspecified quantity of suspected stolen crude oil. Further investigation revealed that the stolen crude oil had been loaded onto a barge named Motor Vessels Amangwu at Tantan Company Yard, also located in Okpaka.
Subsequently, our patrol team proceeded to the yard and found the barge, which was loaded with an unspecified amount of suspected stolen crude oil. Four individuals present at the yard were apprehended and transferred to a detention facility at Sector 1 for further investigation and necessary action.
The Nigerian Navy Ship Delta assumed custody of the barge and deployed an additional anti-Crude Oil Theft team to secure it overnight. On Saturday, May 11, 2023, two gunboats from the Nigerian Navy Ship Delta and one from Sector 1 escorted the barge, Motor Vessels Amangwu, from Okpaka to Asugbo creek for appropriate actions.
However, it has come to our attention that certain organizations have issued press statements falsely claiming credit for the arrest of the truck and barge. We urge the public to disregard these misleading reports.
Those involved in crude oil theft and other criminal activities are hereby warned that the Nigerian Navy Ship Delta will not cease its efforts to eradicate such illegal acts within its operational area. This press release serves to raise awareness among the general public, and we kindly request its dissemination.
