Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Defence headquarters has given insight into the destruction of the 800,000 litres vessel, MT Tura II caught with stolen crude oil offshore the coast of the Niger Delta.
Recall that NNPC Limited announced recently the interception of an 800,000-litre vessel, conveying stolen crude and heading to Cameroon, which was later set ablaze by the military claiming it would serve as a deterrent to oil theft.
The destruction of the vessel with its content sparked outrage across the country from environmental rights groups, with calls on security agencies to be educated on the climate crises and how destroying petroleum products is tantamount to ecological assault on the environment.
But the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, has explained that the destruction of the vessel was imperative, in accordance with extant operating procedure that stipulates instant destruction of any vehicle, vessel or equipment linked with crude oil theft.
Buba explained that though the vessel had the capacity of 800,000 litres, only two compartments of the vessel were filled when it was intercepted, and that the volume of the two compartments amounted to about 178,000 litres of crude oil.
He added that the vessel was apprehended by Tantita, a pipeline surveillance company owned by an ex-agitator, Government Ekpemupolo, better known as Tompolo, at the boundary between Delta and Ondo states while the vessel was enroute Cameroon.
He said: “On 7 July 23, troops and operators of Tantita Surveillance contractors intercepted a vessel loaded with suspected stolen crude oil and arrested 12 suspects (a Ghanaian and 11 Nigerians).
“The vessel was arrested between the boundaries of Delta and Ondo states. The vessel, MT Tura II, reportedly owned by Holab Maritime Services Limited has a tank capacity of 800,000 litres. The vessel was previously named Ali Rita Bey.
“Close inspection on the vessel revealed that only two compartments were partially filled with about 150 metric tonnes which is approximately 178,000 litres. This quantity is less than a quarter of the vessel. The vessel upon arrest was moved to Oporoza in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.
“The voyage of the vessel revealed that it originated from Lagos and was heading to Republic of Cameroon as its destination. The vessel captain admitted to having been engaged in same illegal activities for over four years.
“On 11 July 23, the vessel was destroyed in accordance with extant operating procedure that stipulates instant destruction of any vehicle, vessel or equipment linked with crude oil theft.”
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