The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Navy

  • Navy destroys 87,000 tonnes of illegally refined crude oil

    The Central Naval Command (CNC) has destroyed 87,000 metric tons of illegally-refined crude oil in Niger Delta.

    CNC, with headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, said the raids and patrols leading to the destruction were conducted between May and September.

    The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) CNC, Rear Admiral Abubakar Alhassan, said 400 illegal refineries and 85 boats used to convey the stolen products were also burnt.

    Alhassan said the feat was achieved following the command’s Operation Rivers Sweep  launched in January.

    “So far, the operation has recorded a huge success in reducing Crude Oil Theft (COT), pipeline vandalism and other maritime crimes, which hitherto contributed to insecurity as well as disruption of economic activities in the maritime environment.

    “Between May and September, the command seized and destroyed about 87,000 MT of illegally refined crude oil. Also, over 400 illegal refineries were destroyed, including 85 boats used by oil thieves and illegal bunkerers”, he said.

    To consolidate on the achievements, Alhassan said the command would launch another military exercise called, Octopusgrip.

    He said the sea exercise would last three days, beginning from Monday.

    He named Commodore Habib Usman as Officer in Tactical Command (OTC)  for the exercise, and the officer in charge of the operation as Rear Admiral Frederick Ogu.

    Alhassan said one objective of the exercise is to assess the operational readiness of CNC fleet and bases as well as test the skills of personnel in tackling maritime threats.

    Others are to determine capability of operational bases in the conduct of riverine operations and provide enabling environment for sustenance of economic activities, including oil and gas production, safety of shipping and others at sea.

    He said: “The Central Naval Command (CNC) has the responsibility to secure the waterways and provide security for national assets domicilled within the command’s Area of Responsibility.

    “To fulfill these, among others, the command, in January, launched Operation Rivers Sweep.

    “To consolidate on gains of Operation Rivers Sweep, the CNC will commence a riverine and sea exercise, code named Octopusgrip.

    “The sea exercise is expected to last for three days, beginning from next Monday to Wednesday.

    ‘’Furthermore, the riverine OPS will nip in the bud other maritime crimes associated with “EMBER” months.”

  • Navy arrests 35 aliens, 16 Nigerians for ‘illegal’ bunkering

    Navy arrests 35 aliens, 16 Nigerians for ‘illegal’ bunkering

    •Recovers $21,750, six boats, AGO, phones, others

    Naval operatives have arrested 31 Beninoise, four Pakistanis and 16 Nigerians for alleged bunkering.
    The suspects, who were arrested at different operations between July and last month on Lagos waters, were handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday.
    They are Honffo Djidenu, Hounssa Bergakola, Atungbe Paul, Honffo Eminu, Hounssa Achilit, Honffo Djoelit, Blessing David, Attau Abel, Sunday Odepo, Francis Agba and Peter Honfo.
    Others include Batoromi Digi, Noel Megbe, Jerome Ilewagbemi, Kankor Bidemi, Amuse Awatu, Isaac Torwuloten, Martins Aviwe, Kojo Cheji and Edumo Rofor.
    Jimoh Megbe, Jockten Tomatu, Ado Leon, James Oke, Dominic Nwagu, Ado Rafino, Isaac Ogboji, Oluwaseun Ogbugbure, Femi Lawal, Ojajune Adekola and Victor Thompson were handed over to EFCC for further action.
    Also handed over to the anti-graft agency were eight suspects- Inspector Lukeman Rabiu, Seun Oguntoyi, Bobola Kuti, Inalu Dela, Olupara Racheal, Vincent Victor, Gladys Daniel and Adegoke Adetunji arrested for alleged pipeline vandalism at Glonik Hotel, Abule-Egba, Lagos last week.
    The Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Maurice Eno, said the Navy recovered $21, 750, 10,400CFA, N150, four wooden and two fibre boats, three tankers with one laden with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 29 phones, a spare battery, three sim cards, four hand bracelets, six necklaces and seven finger rings from the suspects.
    Other recoveries include a yellow flash light, one plug spanner, a bag containing two clothes, three laptops and tons of products suspected to be AGO.
    Giving details of the arrests, Eno, who was represented by BEECROFT’s Executive Officer (XO), Cpt. Tajudeen Osoba, said on July 5, about 5:40p.m., operatives on patrol boarded and arrested a merchant vessel, MV GLENNSTAR, within Lagos Safe Anchorage Area (LSAA).
    He said the vessel was suspected to be conveying illegally-refined petroleum product at the time of arrest, adding that it had 11 crew members onboard.
    “It was discovered that she was laden with about 800MT of AGO and claimed to have discharged 200mt at ABO oil field in Escravos offshore, Warri. Preliminary investigation showed the vessel did not pick the product from the right source.
    “On September 9, intelligence report available to NNS BEECROFT showed the presence of a wooden boat alongside a vessel conducting illegal transaction in petroleum products. A team was despatched to investigate and arrest the perpetrators.
    “Upon approach, the vessel was identified as MT MATRIX, while the boat had six persons and about 140 drums. Investigation showed the six persons were Benin Republic nationals and had $3,300 suspected to be money for payment of illegal petroleum product.
    “At the time of the arrest, MT MATRIX had a crew of 17, comprising four Pakistanis and 14 Nigerians. She had 10 drums of AGO on her weather deck.
    “On September 26, NNS BEECROFT’s patrol team intercepted a fibre boat lurking around the Single Buoy Mooring (SBM) within the LSAA. Upon interrogation, it was observed that the boat had two persons onboard and was laden with petroleum product suspected to be illegally-sourced AGO.
    “Investigation showed the boat illegally sourced the product in the area. The two persons confessed to have bought the product from an unidentified vessel. As at the time of arrest, the suspects had N16,680 believed to be the balance after the illegal transaction.”
    On the same day, Eno said three wooden boats were intercepted at LSAA after they were observed to have had drums and pumping machines.
    He said: “There were 21 persons onboard and investigation showed 20 of them were from Benin Republic, while the last person, a woman, is a Nigerian and the coordinator of the illegal transaction.
    “At the time of arrest, the suspects had $21,750, 32,000 CFA, N6,320 believed to be money meant for the transaction. The vessel and its crew, wooden boats and their crew, the Beninoise, three Nigerians as well as the pipeline vandals have been handed over to EFCC.

  • Navy arrests six Bangladeshi for stealing diesel

    Navy arrests six Bangladeshi for stealing diesel

    Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Victory of the Nigerian Navy in Calabar have arrested six Bangladesh nationals and 16 Nigerians for allegedly diverting 22 metric tonnes of diesel in an illegal Ship to Ship (STS) transfer along the Calabar water channel.

    Commander NNS Victory, Commodore Salihu Ibn Danhu Jibril, the vessel, NV Princess Oge, which brought the product from offshore Lome to deliver to a tank farm in Calabar was discovered carrying out the illegal activity and immediately arrested.

    Addressing reporters on board the vessel along the Calabar Channel before handing over the suspects and vessel to the Nigerian Police yesterday, Jibril said the Princess Oge was a bunkering ship given permission to deliver and discharge cargo in Calabar.

    “Along the way, she was found to have found transfer to ship transfer illegally to another ship and consequently we arrested the ship.

    “She was arrested and brought here and having conducted our investigation and found their operation in line with our harmonised standard procedures for illegal activities in the marine environment, we are formally handing over the ship, crew and cargo to the Nigerian Police for further investigation and prosecution.

    “The suspects include 22 persons of different nationalities. We have six from Bangladesh and 16 Nigerians.

    “The vessel was given permission to move AGO cargo to Calabar. In line with extant regulations, we are handing them over to the police.

    “The quantity that was diverted illegally was 22 metric tonnes missing from the initial cargo that she was supposed to deliver from what she took at the port of intake.

    “The port of intake was offshore Lome, and is supposed to one of the tank farms in Calabar.”

  • Nigerian Navy tests personnel’s fitness

    Nigerian Navy tests personnel’s fitness

    No fewer than 1,000 personnel of the Nigerian Navy, on Saturday, trooped out in Lagos to observe the third quarterly energy-sapping route march to ensure fitness.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 10-kilometre route march, which began at the Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC) Apapa, was aimed at keeping the personnel in shape for military duties.

    NAN also reports that the route march was the Nigerian Navy’s way of assuring the public of its commitment to its duty of defending the territorial integrity of the country.

    The route march, apart from ensuring fitness of the personnel for military duties, is aimed at fostering es-prit de corps and providing an avenue to prevent criminality in the command’s area of responsibility.

    The personnel, who began the march after assembling at the parade ground as early as 6.00 a.m., marched as far as to the Costain Bus Stop, Lagos and came back to the command.

    Rear Adm. Obi Ofodili, the Flag Officer Commanding NAVTRAC, congratulated the participants at the end of the exercise.

    Ofodili, who was represented by the Acting Chief Staff Officer, Commodore Obi Egbuchulam, said that the route march showed that the navy was ready to serve the nation at all times.

    “The essence of this route march is to keep fit mentally and physically and as you can see, there are no casualties,” he said.

  • Kidnapping is on the decrease in Cross River, says Navy

    Incidences of kidnapping in Cross River State have been greatly reduced, the Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Victory in Calabar, Commodore Salihu Ibn Danhu Jibril Jibril, has said.

    The state had been plagued by many incidents of the crime in recent times.

    Speaking with reporters after a quarterly road march for all military and paramilitary agencies in the state, on Saturday, Jibril said this achievement was especially due to the collaborative efforts of the various security outfits.

    He said the march was organised at the instance of the Defense Headquarters to enhance better working relationship between security agencies in the state.

    “The road march is for all security agencies, both military and paramilitary. This is to further enhance the working relationship between the services in the Calabar area and also to help with their physical fitness, to improve their health and develop a sound mind. It also promotes the spirit of working together.

    “From the statistics available to me, kidnapping is on the decrease. The statistics is not just based on one or two months but on a long term basis. The road march is to send the message to all and sundry that any crime would not be tolerated,” he said.

     

  • Navy arrests four trawlers, 79 suspects for ‘illegal’ fishing 

    Navy arrests four trawlers, 79 suspects for ‘illegal’ fishing 

    …Apprehends two oil vessels

     

    Operatives of the Nigerian Navy (NN) have arrested four trawlers belonging to a Chinese Company and 79 suspects for Illegal and Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing.

    Also arrested were a Motor Tanker, MT DA-CHRIS and Merchant Vessel, MV SISI COMFORT 1 for various illegality within the nation’s water.

    Handing over the vessels and their contents to the Federal Department of Fisheries (FDF), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission  (EFCC) and Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command (WNC) Rear Admiral Sylvanus Abbah appealed to the agencies to do due diligence.

    Abbah reiterated that the NN was averse to corruption and illegality within the maritime domain, warning perpetrators to keep off.

    He said the trawlers were arrested less than 30 nautical miles from shore, contrary to the permit granted them, which enabled them to trawl in the high seas.

    According to the navy chief, the trawlers by their actions were robbing the nation of resources, depriving local fishermen opportunity to ply their trade and also endangering fingerlings.

    Abbah said: “In line with the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas’ directives to rid Nigeria’s maritime environment of criminalities, personnel of the WNC while on routine patrol arrested two tanker vessels and four fishing trawlers for various maritime offences.
    “The four trawlers were arrested on August 27, fishing in prohibited areas with catches totaling 154,280kg and several kilograms of loose fish.

    “At the time of the arrest, the vessels had a total of 79 crew members comprising of 28 Chinese nationals, seven onboard each vessel, three Ghanians and 48 Nigerians.

    “On interrogation, it was discovered that the vessels were not listed on the July to August bi-monthly edition of the navy code word for fishing/trawling vessel at sea.”

    Continuing, Abbah said: “On July 2, at about 11:30pm, MT DA-CHRIS was intercepted and boarded by naval personnel on routine patrol. Upon boarding, the vessel was discovered to be imballast. This raised further doubt on the activities of the vessel and prompted further investigation to ascertain its dealings at sea.

    “The ship’s Automatic Identification System (AIS) was found to be constantly off constituting a navigational and safety offense. During the investigation, it was discovered that the vessel was operating with invalid documents.
    “Again on July 20 at about 05:48am, our personnel sighted MV SISI COMFORT 1 lurking around ABO oilfield. At first, the Captain identified the ship as ALPHA SIERRA but upon interrogation, he said the vessel’s name was MV SISI COMFORT 1.

    “Investigation revealed the vessel had about 34,000litres of Automated Gas Oil (AGO) in its storage tank which they claimed they pumped from their bunker tank to the storage tank to balance the ship which was taking in water from its rudder.

    “The vessel was asked to produce documents, which they were unable to and this raised suspicion on the activities of the vessel within the oilfield.”

    “The four fishing trawlers are being handed over to the Federal Department of Fisheries for further action. The two other vessels are being handed over to the EFCC, DPR and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) respectively for further investigation and possible prosecution.

    “The command has zero tolerance for every form of criminality in its area of responsibility and advises defaulters to desist from such acts or face the wrath of the law.”

    One of the crew members of the fishing trawlers, Peter Effiom, 34, told The Nation they were arrested around Badagry.

    Effiom, who spoke on behalf of the Chinese Captain, said they were aware their permit didn’t allow them to fish ashore, adding that the company they worked for asked them to do it.

     

  • Navy arrest vessel, crew for oil ‘theft’

    Navy arrest vessel, crew for oil ‘theft’

    The Nigerian Navy Friday handed over a Motor Tanker, MT WOLOF and its seven crew members to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for alleged Automated Gas Oil (AGO) theft.

    The vessel, according to the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, Commodore Maurice Eno, was intercepted on June 30, around the Lagos Safe Anchorage Area (LSAA).

    He said: “At the time of the arrest, MT WOLOF was loaded with about 300 metric tons of product suspected to be illegally refined AGO and had seven crew members onboard.

    Investigation revealed that the vessel had no document to support the product it was carrying.”
    Eno said that the sample of the product onboard the vessel was taken for laboratory test which the result indicated that the product did not meet the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) specification.

    He said: “The result also did not meet the Standard Organization of Nigeria’s (SON) specification.

    “In view of this, the EFCC has to take charge for further investigation and possible prosecution.

    “The Nigerian Navy under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas has zero tolerance for illegalities in our waters. The Navy therefore reiterates its drive to safeguard Nigeria’s maritime domain from criminal elements.

    “I advise defaulters to desist from such acts or face the wrath of the law. I also urge citizens to give useful information with regards to persons engaged in illegal act to the navy or other security agencies.”

  • Navy, others march to reassure residents of security

    Navy, others march to reassure residents of security

    The Nigerian Navy (NN) at the weekend embarked on a-thousand-man march to establish its presence and reassure Nigerians of their security.

    The march, which staretd about 5am from the Naval Training Command headquarters  (NAVTRAC) in Apapa, progressed through Ijora, Costain to Ojuelegba and back, despite the heavy rain.

    An initiative of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, the exercise was primarily organised to test the physical fitness and mental alertness of personnel.

    The Army, Air Force, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps  (NSCDC), took part in the four-hour march.

    The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) NAVTRAC, Rear Admiral Obi Ofodile, said: “When you see military men march on the street, one of  the objectives, whether defined or not, is to reassure the public that we are in charge. In fact, they are safer than ever. It is a way of reassuring the public that all is well and every situation is under control.

    “This route march is a continuous thing and we will be doing it once in a while. I have no doubt it will strengthen the existing relationship between the armed forces and other security operatives.

    “We want to build and sustain a good relationship with paramilitary agencies. For the armed forces, we have good relationship because we all train at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). By organising exercises like this, we want our colleagues in uniform in other agencies to know that we all are one.

    “From the turnout and participation, it is clear we are all fit and healthy. I must commend the CNS, who directed that the commands and autonomous units of the navy come up with a march where other security agencies would participate to foster understanding, friendship and oneness.

    Senior officers who took part in the exercise included the Admiral Superintendent, Naval Ordinance Depot (NOD) Rear Admiral Dogara Yusuf, Chief Staff Officer (CSO) Western Naval Command  (WNC) Rear Admiral Matthew Emuekpere and COS, 81 Division, Brig.-Gen. Hamisu Hassan, among others.

  • Navy arrests two vessels with suspected stolen diesel

    A Merchant Vessel (MV), Shirley and Motor Tanker (MT) Vine allegedly laden with 745 metric tonnes of stolen Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) – diesel – have been arrested by the Nigerian Navy (NN).

    The vessels, which were arrested with their 14 crew members by operatives of the NNS BEECROFT, were handed over to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    MT Vine with six crew members was laden with products, which flashpoint was higher than the specification of the regulatory agencies. MV Shirley with eight crew carried low quality products.

    At the handover, the Flag Officer Commanding  (FOC) Western Naval Command (WNC) Rear Admiral Sylvanus Abba said MT Vine was arrested on June 9, at about 1:30am, on its arrival at SB Bakare Jetty, Kirikiri,  to discharge the about 600MT of AGO it was carrying.

    He added that the flash point of the product was higher than that specified by DPR and Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

    He said the colour of the product was off DPR standard as indicated by lab analysis, adding that when the vessel’s haulage was checked, it was discovered that MT Vine was carrying about 600MT of AGO against the 400MT quantity authorised.

    For MV Shirley, the FOC said it was arrested at about 6:10pm on April 19, at Lagos anchorage for allegedly dealing in petroleum products illegally.

    “The vessel was laden with about 145MT of AGO without valid documents for carrying petroleum products in Nigerian waters. Samples of the products were taken for laboratory test to ascertain its quality and the result indicated that the sample did not meet DPR/SON specifications, which indicated that it might have been refined illegally.

    Abbah reiterated that the navy would not tolerate any fraudulent activities.

    He said: “The command has zero tolerance for every form of criminality in its area of responsibility. Defaulters are advised to desist from such acts or face the wrath of the law.”

  • Navy arrests two vessels with suspected stolen AGO

    Navy arrests two vessels with suspected stolen AGO

    A Merchant Vessel (MV) SHIRLEY and Motor Tanker (MT) Vine allegedly laden with 745 metric tons of stolen AGO have been arrested by the Nigerian Navy (NN).

    The vessels, which were arrested along with their 14 crew members by operatives of the NNS BEECROFT, were handed over to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    While MT VINE with six crew members was laden with products whose flash point was higher than the specification of the regulatory agencies, MV SHIRLEY with eight crew carried low quality products.

    At the handover, the Flag Officer Commanding  (FOC) Western Naval Command (WNC) Rear Admiral Sylvanus Abba said MT VINE was arrested on June 9, at about 1:30am, on its arrival at SB BAKARE Jetty, Kirikiri,  to discharge the about 600MT of AGO it was carrying.

    He disclosed that the flash point of the product was higher than that specified by DPR and Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

    He said the colour of the product was off DPR standard as indicated by lab analysis, adding that when the vessel’s haulage was checked, it was discovered that MT VINE was carrying about 600MT of AGO ad against the 400MT quantity authorised.

    For MV SHIRLEY, the FOC said it was arrested at about 6:10pm on April 19, at Lagos anchorage for allegedly dealing in petroleum products illegally.

    “The vessel was laden with about 145MT of AGO without valid documents for carrying petroleum products in Nigerian waters. Samples of the products were taken for laboratory test to ascertain its quality and the result indicated that the sample did not meet DPR/SON specifications which indicated that it might have been refined illegally.

    Abbah reiterated that the navy in its renewed efforts to purge maritime domain of illegalities, would not tolerate any fraudulent activities.

    He said: “The command has zero tolerance for every form of criminality in its area of responsibility. Defaulters are advised to desist from such acts or face the wrath of the law.”