Nigerian Army Vows to Destroy Arrested Vessel Suspected of Crude Oil Theft

The Nigerian Army has pledged to destroy an arrested vessel, Harbor Spirit, suspected of crude oil theft in accordance with established rules of engagement.

The Army also announced that all arrested crew members onboard the vessel would be evacuated to Abuja for investigation by the Defense Intelligence.

Brig. Gen. Ugochukwu Vitus Unachukwu, Commander of the Nigerian Army’s 63 Brigade, made this statement when members of the House of Representatives Committee on Crude Oil Theft visited and inspected two arrested vessels, MT Kali and Harbor Spirit, allegedly involved in stolen crude oil activities.

Brig. Gen. Unachukwu emphasized that the federal government is committed to eradicating oil theft, stating, “We will pursue it to a logical conclusion.”

He cautioned oil thieves to stop their illicit activities, noting that the nation relies on the revenue generated from the sector.

He warned that anyone caught stealing a gallon of crude oil would be considered a “national saboteur.”

Brig. Gen. Unachukwu revealed that the vessel and all crew members onboard were apprehended by operatives of TANTITA Security Services in collaboration with the Armed Forces.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on Crude Oil Theft urged the arrested crew members onboard the Harbor Spirit to cooperate with the relevant security agencies to prove their innocence.

Chairman of the Committee, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, who led the visit to inspect the two vessels, stated that issues of oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other crises in the oil-producing states are of serious concern to the National Assembly, particularly the House of Representatives Committee on Oil and Gas.

He said, “We represent all of you, but there’s nothing we can do.

You have to cooperate with security to prove your innocence.”

In a statement to journalists, Doguwa, an oil-producing lawmaker, said members of the House of Representatives Committee on Crude Oil Theft undertook the visit to the two vessels to gather firsthand information about the developments in the shores of the Oil and Gas industry in the Niger Delta region.

“So, we came to see for ourselves on behalf of the National Assembly, especially the House of Representatives and the relevant Committee Chairman of the Oil and Gas Committee.

I want to tell you that we are all out to see the increased production of oil and gas in the Country.”

The lawmaker added that the Committee on Crude Oil Theft will continue to work closely with TANTITA security and Nigerian Security Agencies, among others, to promote the protection of the nation’s assets across the country.