HOW FG LOST 1.2 MILLION BARRELS OF CRUDE OIL – NAVY
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The Nigerian Navy has raised alarm that some unpatriotic elements that are determined to plunder the country’s oil resources for personal gains and other acts of economic sabotage have resorted to false allegations against genuine international transactions resulting in disruption of oil operations and unwarranted loss of revenue to the federal government.
Chief of Training and Operations, Rear Admiral Eugenio Olusegun Ferriera who made this known at a briefing on Monday stated the resolve of the Navy in tackling crude oil theft headlong no matter the cartel involved was causing these elements sleepless nights hence their resort to dark tactics to have their way noting that the Navy will not bulge.
He disclosed that these disruptions resulted in the loss of over 1.2million barrels of crude oil, with attendant loss of revenues between 4th of May to 16th, of May 2024.
His said, “For instance, an alarm of crude oil theft on MT PRAISEL in August 2023 at Escravos in which the Navy was alleged to have been involved was proven to be false.
“Similarly, on 3 May 2024, another false allegation led to the disruption of the operations of MT PRESTIGIOUS and MT MONTAGU involved in the Presidential Crude Oil Barging Operations at Bonny.
“These disruptions resulted in the loss of over 1.2 million barrels of crude oil with attendant reduction in revenues during the period of their arrest between 4 to 16 May 2024.
“Also, on 7 Nov 24 based on credible intelligence, a barge suspected to be involved in oil theft was arrested in Warri by Nigerian Navy personnel.
“Also, on 10 Nov 24, MT LADY MARTINA conveying HPFO to MT JASMINE S involved in Presidential Crude Oil Barging Operations at Bonny was alleged to have stolen crude oil. The Nigerian Navy conducted series of test which confirmed the product onboard to be HPFO as approved by regulatory authorities.
“These false accusations were not backed by evidences, but primarily designed to tarnish the image of the Nigerian Navy and dampen the morale of personnel involved in anti-oil theft operations.
“In addition, the perpetrators of these false alarms inflict unwarranted disruptions in legitimate business in the oil industry.
“This is detrimental to the ease of doing business in Nigeria oil sector and negates Mr. Presidents desire to increase investment in the oil industry.
The CTOP also stated that in the past 4 years, the Navy has confiscated over 8.1 million barrels of stolen crude oil, 86,500 MT of illegally refined AGO, 788,312 litres of illegally sourced PMS and about 21 million litres of Kerosene.
“Other arrests include 120 barges, 181 speed boats, 1,453 wooden boats laden with stolen products as well as 118 vehicles conveying stolen petroleum products.
Continuing, Rear Admiral Ferreira said, “In line with its statutory roles as encapsulated in the 1999 Constitution of the FRN, the Nigerian Navy has continued to respond to current and emerging security threats in the maritime domain.
“This is to enhance maritime security and create the desired environment for economic prosperity and national development.
“In this regard, the Nigerian Navy conducts anti-oil theft, anti-piracy, anti-smuggling and anti-Illegal fishing operations amongst other functions.
“Anti-oil theft operations remain the Navy’s most critical function due to the contribution of oil revenue to Nigeria’s economic survival.
“However, some unpatriotic elements are determined to plunder the country’s oil resources for personal gains through oil theft and other acts of economic sabotage.
“Over the years, the Nigerian Navy emplaced measures to address the scourge of oil theft.
“These include intelligence-led patrols, robust Maritime Domain Awareness and the Choke Point Management and Control regime involving the deployment of Naval Security Stations at strategic chokepoints within the creeks to deny oil thieves freedom of action.
“In the past 4 years, the Nigerian Navy has confiscated over 8.1 million barrels of stolen crude oil, 86,500 MT of illegally refined AGO, 788,312 litres of illegally sourced PMS and about 21 million litres of Kerosene.
“Other arrests include 120 barges, 181 speed boats, 1,453 wooden boats laden with stolen products as well as 118 vehicles conveying stolen petroleum products.
“During the period, the Nigerian Navy deactivated over 1,528 illegal refining sites and 8,790 storage tanks, and arrested 392 suspected oil thieves.
“The suspects were handed over to relevant law enforcement agencies for further investigation and prosecution.
“Of particular note were the arrests of MT SWEET MIRI and MT VILLANIRIS 1 both laden with a combined quantity of 4 million liters’ of stolen crude oil.
“Mindful of the possibility of certain bad eggs within, the Nigerian Navy has strict disciplinary systems to deal with such personnel in line with the Armed Forces Act.
“In the course of our operations, some gallant personnel have paid the supreme prize while fighting oil theft. We salute their sacrifice and pray for the families they left behind.
“In view of its transnational nature, the fight against oil theft, also involves collaboration with our neighbours such as Cameroon, Benin and Togo who assisted in the apprehension of vessels such as MT New Angel and MT Jasmine involved in crude oil theft.
“In November 2024, as part of its regional efforts to enhance maritime security, the Nigerian Navy hosted Exercises Crocodile Lift and Grand African NEMO which are multinational exercise involving Nigerian Navy Ships, boats and aircrafts as well as ships from regional navies and partners such as France, UK and Spain.
“The exercises were geared toward enhancing our international partnership and collaboration to curb maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.
“The Nigerian Navy also has a transparent process of working with industry regulators such as NUPRC, NMDPRA, NIMASA and NNPCL in the monitoring and enforcement of approvals granted to operators to lift crude oil and other refined products.
“This enables the Nigerian Navy to ensure compliance for legitimate upstream and downstream operations on behalf of the regulators.
“Nigerian Navy efforts have greatly curbed oil theft and led to a significant increase in Nigeria’s daily crude oil production output from 1.23 million barrels in October 2022 to 1.8 million barrels in October 2024 as revealed by the NUPRC.
“The positive outcome of the Nigerian Navy’s anti-crude oil operations is also evident in the Trans – Forcados and Trans – Niger pipelines which have continued to report about 100 per cent terminal factor in the past few months.
“Furthermore, recall that in 2022, the Nigerian Navy succeeded in eradicating piracy in Nigerian waters, and Nigeria was de-listed from the International Maritime Bureau List of piracy prone countries.
“Despite these sterling performances, there have been misrepresentations in certain quarters aimed at tarnishing the image of the Nigerian Navy.
“These misrepresentations are peddled by mischief makers whose freedom of action in oil theft was severely degraded by the Nigerian Navy.
“Despite disruptions by these unpatriotic elements, the Nigerian Navy has remained critical in the success of several strategic initiatives such as the Presidential Crude Oil Barging Regime.
Meanwhile, a total of 100 students graduated with 7 making first class with 51 and 41 students making 2nd class upper and lower grades at the 3rd convocation of the Admiralty University of Nigeria (ADUN) held on Friday November 22, 2024 at the Ibusa Campus, Delta State
The 3rd convocation ceremony which was well attended by several dignitaries in the academia and military marked a remarkable step in the upward trajectory of the citadel of learning.
Chief of Policy and Plans, Navy, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Dewu represented the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla at the convocation ceremony
A statement by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu said “The general public is encouraged to explore the option of studying at the Admiralty University of Nigeria because the tuition and other fees were recently reviewed downwards.
Admission into ADUN is through the approved processes outlined by the National Universities Commission.The University was established under the Private Universities Act CAP E3, Laws of the Federation Republic of Nigeria 2004 via the issuance of an operating license in December 2017.
Presently, ADUN has 3 faculties namely: Faculty of Arts, Management and Social Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Faculty of Law.
“The Faculty of Arts, Management and Social Sciences offers courses such as; Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, English Language, History and International Studies, International Relations and Tourism Studies.
“The Faculty of Science offers courses such as Biology, Chemistry, Cyber-Security, Computer Science, Forensic Science, Industrial Mathematics, Physics and Software Engineering.
“Thirdly, the Faculty of Law offers an LLB degree in Law. Additionally, a new faculty of Engineering is undergoing verification and will soon be established.
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