The Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft, operating under Operation Delta Sanity, has intercepted a vessel, Motor Tanker SWEET MIRI, suspected of involvement in crude oil theft. According to Rear Admiral MB Hassan, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) of the Western Naval Command, the vessel, carrying 13 crew members (one Ghanaian and 12 Nigerians), had been under the Navy's surveillance for some time.
During a briefing onboard the vessel, Rear Admiral Hassan revealed that on February 25, 2024, the vessel had deliberately deactivated its Automatic Identification System to evade detection. The interception occurred approximately 174 nautical miles off the Nigerian coast, around 320 kilometers en route to Benin Republic. Following this suspicious behavior, Nigerian Navy Ship ABA was dispatched to investigate the vessel. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the SWEET MIRI was transporting around 2 million liters of suspected crude oil without proper authorization.
In adherence to the directives of Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), the vessel was made available for other agencies to collect samples and conduct independent investigations to ascertain its involvement in the alleged illegal activities. Furthermore, it was revealed that the SWEET MIRI, owned by a Ghanaian individual and registered in Ghana under a Ghanaian company, had been a subject of interest to the Navy due to its suspected illicit activities.
In a related development, Rear Admiral Hassan provided an update on the ongoing investigation of another detained vessel, Motor Tanker VINNALARIS. He stated that the CNS had instructed for a thorough probe beyond just the crew members, aiming to uncover the masterminds behind such operations. Consequently, the investigation into the SWEET MIRI would extend to identifying the individuals orchestrating the illicit activities, commonly referred to as kingpins.
Lieutenant Hussaini Ibrahim, the Base Information Officer, emphasized the collaborative efforts between the Nigerian Navy and the Department of State Services (DSS) in tackling crude oil theft. He expressed gratitude for the DSS's support in conducting comprehensive investigations whenever cases of illegal oil activities were brought to their attention.
The interception of the SWEET MIRI underscores the Nigerian Navy's commitment to combating maritime crimes and ensuring the security of Nigeria's territorial waters. The coordinated efforts between naval forces and other relevant agencies reflect a multi-dimensional approach aimed at curbing illicit activities and holding perpetrators accountable.
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