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Tag: oil theft

  • WAR against oil theft: Why Nigerians must support CNS Ogalla -Agbese

    WAR against oil theft: Why Nigerians must support CNS Ogalla -Agbese

    The Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Hon, Philip Agbese, has hailed the Nigerian Navy’s efforts in combating oil theft, citing significant progress under Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla’s leadership.

    Recall that the federal lawmaker raised a motion to investigate crude oil theft and loss of revenue last year, which caused the Speaker, House of Representatives, RT. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas to set up a probe panel.

    But Agbese, while responding to questions shortly after Thursday’s plenary, on his opinion about his Bills and motions in the House, particularly on the oil theft, said the Navy’s Operation Delta Sanity launched in January 2024, has yielded remarkable successes.

    Agbese said Ogalla’s leadership has had far-reaching implications on the economy, adding that increased revenue from recovered oil and reduced losses has bolstered Nigeria’s fiscal balance and enabled investments in critical sectors.

    He said the Navy’s intensified efforts have led to the recovery of over 62,000 barrels of crude oil and nearly a million litres of illegally refined products, disrupting the operations of oil thieves and bolstering Nigeria’s oil production.

    Under Ogalla’s strategic guidance, he noted, the Navy has adopted a multi-faceted approach to combat oil theft, including aggressive surveillance and patrols, the dismantling of illegal refining sites, and the arrest of suspects.

    The Navy’s collaboration with international partners, he said, has also strengthened its ability to combat maritime crime.

    Furthermore, Agbese said the launch of non-kinetic offensives, such as community engagement and educational outreaches, has helped to win the support of local communities and prevent oil theft.

    “The impact of Ogalla’s leadership is evident in the numbers. Nigeria’s crude oil production has risen from 1.08 million barrels per day in July 2023 to an average of 1.38 million barrels per day in January and February 2024,” he said.

    “Additionally, military operations have stalled oil theft estimated at N1,558,665,080 in the South-South region. The Nigerian Navy’s renewed commitment under Ogalla’s leadership has sent a strong message to oil thieves and saboteurs: Nigeria will no longer tolerate the theft of its resources.

    “Recall that during Ogalla’s presentation at the sectorial debate organised by the House of Representatives, he elaborated on the progress so far. He, however, requested that the National Assembly intervene in enhancing surveillance to cover the backwaters, creeks, and other areas behind the coastline.

    “I’m proud of what he has achieved since then. The Navy last month announced the extension of Operation Delta Sanity for an additional ninety days. This is a sign that Ogalla is not satisfied yet”, Agbese added.

    Agbese urged stakeholders to support the Navy’s efforts, commending Vice Admiral Ogalla and the Nigerian Navy for their dedication to national security.

    The success of Operation Delta Sanity, he added, demonstrates Ogalla’s commitment to protecting the nation’s resources, paving the way for a stronger, more prosperous Nigeria.

    He concluded: “As we continue to make progress in this fight, I am confident that Nigeria will emerge stronger and more prosperous. I commend Vice Admiral Ogalla and the Nigerian Navy for their tireless efforts and dedication to our nation’s security.”

  • Reveal the identities of those responsible for oil theft in Nigeria – Elumelu challenges FG

    Reveal the identities of those responsible for oil theft in Nigeria – Elumelu challenges FG

    Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Tony Elumelu, has urged the federal government and security agencies to reveal the identities of those responsible for the massive theft of crude oil in Nigeria.

    Elumelu made the appeal in an interview published by the British daily newspaper, Financial Times (FT), on Friday, highlighting the grave impact of oil theft on Nigeria’s economy and the exodus of international oil companies from the country.

    Expressing his deep concerns, Elumelu described oil theft as a significant factor behind the divestment of international oil companies (IOCs) from Nigeria’s onshore assets. He shared his personal experience with the menace, recounting how criminal gangs began siphoning crude oil from his company’s pipelines, leading to a drastic reduction in production.

    In 2022, as the situation reached a critical point, Elumelu took to social media to voice his frustration. “How can we be losing over 95 per cent of oil production to thieves? Look at the Bonny Terminal which should be receiving over 200,000 barrels of crude oil daily; instead, it receives less than 3,000 barrels, leading the operator Shell to declare force majeure. The reason Nigeria is unable to meet its OPEC production quota is not because of low investment but because of theft, pure and simple!” he had tweeted.

    Elumelu further expressed his dismay at the failure of Nigerian authorities to curb the oil theft, contrasting the situation with the efficiency of security agencies in other countries. “This is oil theft, we’re not talking about stealing a bottle of Coke you can put in your pocket. The government should know, they should tell us. Look at America — Donald Trump was shot at and quickly they knew the background of who shot him. Our security agencies should tell us who is stealing our oil. You bring vessels to our territorial waters and we don’t know?” he questioned.

    Despite the ongoing theft, which still claims about 18 per cent of his company’s daily production of 42,000 barrels, Elumelu remains optimistic. However, he remains critical of the government’s handling of the situation, recalling a past incident where the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari allegedly blocked his attempt to acquire an oilfield. According to Elumelu, Heirs Holdings had raised $2.5 billion to purchase an oilfield since 2017, but the deal was thwarted by Buhari and his late Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, on the grounds that such a strategic asset could not be sold to a private operator. “This defied logic,” Elumelu said, pointing out that the oilfield was being sold by a foreign company.

    Elumelu, who made his fortune outside the oil industry, explained that his decision to purchase a 45 per cent stake in an oilfield three years ago, at a time when international oil companies were divesting from Nigeria’s shallow water assets, was driven by a desire to ensure energy security for the country. “We wanted to become a Fortune 500 company and we estimated what we needed. It’s not naira, it’s huge dollars. Energy security is crucial for a country that doesn’t produce enough electricity for its roughly 200 million citizens,” he noted.

     

     

  • Navy halts theft of petrol at NNPCL’s vandalised pipeline in Lagos

    Navy halts theft of petrol at NNPCL’s vandalised pipeline in Lagos

    The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has discovered and halted the siphoning of petrol from one of NNPCL’s pipelines at Atlas Cove, Lagos.

    Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga said this in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Sub.-Lt. Happiness Collins on Thursday.

    He said the activities of the fuel thieves were halted on Wednesday.

    Oguntuga said the navy halted the theft in collaboration with troops of “Operation AWATSE’’.

    “The thieves connected hoses and suction pumps to vandalised parts of the pipeline to steal petrol.

    “After halting their activities, the NNPCL was alerted and repairs on the vandalised parts of the pipeline have gone underway.

    “Efforts are on-going to detect and rectify other potential vulnerabilities along the pipeline to ensure a comprehensive approach to deter future illegal activities,’’ he said.

    Oguntuga noted that activities of economic saboteurs posed significant threat to petroleum products availability and to the nation’s economic well-being.

  • Oil theft: Reps direct NNPC, NIMASA, NIWA CEOs to appear before committee

    Oil theft: Reps direct NNPC, NIMASA, NIWA CEOs to appear before committee

    The House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating crude oil theft has insisted on the appearance of the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPC) and others before the committee.

    They include the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

    Rep Alhassan Rurum, the Chairman of the probe panel, gave the ruling in Abuja, adding that the heads of the agencies must appear in person and not send representatives.

    Rurum said the heads of all the invited agencies must appear in person on Sept. 11, while frowning at a situation where the heads of the agencies invited did not appear but sent their directors as representatives.

    He said most of the invited CEOs wrote to the committee asking for permission to be represented by their subordinate as they were not disposed to appear in person and honour the committee’s invitation.

    He said the committee had the powers to invite and cause appearance of any individual, government officials including corporate entity charged with the responsibility of administration of public funds.

    At the hearing, the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigeria Upstream Regulatory Authority (NUPRA) said pipelines and flow stations were the major targets of oil thieves.

    They blamed faulty metering procedure, faulty instrument and lack of technology as impediments in the efforts of  agencies of the Federal Government in tackling oil theft.

    Rurum, however, said that the invited CEOs of the agencies should come with a list of all other agencies working in export terminal of all the  nation’s oil sector.

  • Oil Theft: JTF arrest vessel, 10 crew members in Rivers

    Oil Theft: JTF arrest vessel, 10 crew members in Rivers

    The Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), on Tuesday arrested an oil vessel MV Ofuoma and 10 crew members conveying alleged illegally refined petroleum products in Rivers.

    The Component Commander OPDS, Commodore John Siyanbade, who represented the OPDS Commander, Rear Adm. Olusegun Ferreira said MV Ofuoma was arrested on Aug. 15, at Abuloma jetty in Port-Harcourt by the Nigerian Navy Ship, Pathfinder.

    According to him, the vessel is being used as a storage facility for illegally refined oil products.

    He said: “The vessel was receiving product suspected to be illegally refined AGO from a dug out wooden boat alongside it.

    “As it was intercepted by OPDS, about 20,000 litres of the product have already been transferred from the dug out boat to the vessel. Currently we have about 35,000 litres still remaining on board as you have seen.

    “The operation was conducted by troops of the JTF Operation Delta Safe Headquarters.”

    The commander said that the 10 suspects intercepted included both the crew on board the vessel and those on the boat.

    “The suspects have given credible information about where they source the product from; operation is on going to deactivate the illegal refining site in the area and the operation will be for some time.”

    He assured that the OPDS would not relent in the efforts to eradicate crude oil theft and other forms of illegality in the region, and warned those involved to look for legitimate means of livelihood before they are caught.

  • Oil theft: Navy clears air on arrested vessel, MV CECELIA

    Oil theft: Navy clears air on arrested vessel, MV CECELIA

    The Nigerian Navy (NN) says the Merchant Vessel (MV) CECELIA arrested on Aug. 15 at Meco Jetty in Port Harcourt, was carrying illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

    The Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    Ayo-Vaughan said the claim by the alleged owner of the vessel that it vessel was seized and burnt by the navy was spurious and baseless.

    “For the avoidance of doubt and to set the records straight, MV CECELIA has been a vessel of interest and was being tracked for allegations of oil theft.

    “The vessel was arrested on Aug. 15 with products suspected to be illegally refined AGO at Meco Jetty in Port Harcourt, Rivers State following an operation by the Naval Component of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS).

    “A press interview was conducted immediately after the arrest; however, the owners of the vessel remained at large.

    “Subsequently, the sample of the products onboard the vessel was taken for laboratory analysis and it was discovered to be illicit AGO,” he said.

    The Navy spokesman said the owners of the vessel were at large and did not present themselves to witness the test in line with extant procedure.

    Ayo-Vaughan noted that the behaviour of the alleged owner was not surprising, as it had been the practice among oil thieves.

    According to him, in some cases when vessels involved in oil theft are arrested, the owners abscond leaving the Nigerian Navy to bear the cost of keeping and sustaining it.

    This, he added, had cost the nation huge sums of money and constituted serious national security problems.

    He added that most of the vessels either sink alongside the jetty or within the channel constituting serious navigational hazards.

    Ayo-Vaughan said that cases of abandoned vessels had been the major reason why the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in the past, declared the nation’s ports and waterways the most unsafe in the region.

    This, according to him, contribute to the high insurance premium on ships operating in Nigerian waters with negative impact on the nation’s economy.

    He said that the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) and the navy had expended huge sums of money in clearing such wrecks.

    Ayo-Vaughan said that MV CECELIA, which had not been operational for about two years, was laden with about 250,000 litres of illicit AGO at the time of the arrest.

    He said that the three suspects so far arrested had made useful statements, while the alleged owners remained at large.

    According to him, the vessel has no NNPCL or any other regulatory approval to serve as an AGO storage facility.

    According to him, one of the suspects revealed that they usually bring illegally refined AGO in large wooden boats and Geepee tanks and offload into MV CECELIA.

    “It is unfortunate that this practice has been on without being detected until the recent re-invigorated intelligence-led operations by OPDS and the NN.

    “The arrest of MV CECELIA is therefore a milestone achievement in the renewed drive to rid the Niger Delta of the illicit crime of oil theft.

    “Accordingly, the NN and OPDS will not be hindered by the usual antics of the oil thieves.

    “These sometimes include the owners claiming ignorance of the use of their vessels for illegalities.

    “The NN and OPDS remain law abiding and will continue to carry out its statutory roles of fighting oil theft including destruction of platforms used to carry out the illegalities in line with extant Presidential directives.

    “The general public should be informed that the NN and OPDS is on the look out to arrest the criminals who conduct these crimes and abandon their vessels,” he said.

  • Oil theft: Navy returns stolen crude-laden vessels to owners in Bayelsa

    Oil theft: Navy returns stolen crude-laden vessels to owners in Bayelsa

    The Nigerian Navy on Friday returned a merchant tanker vessel, MV TIS IV, and a  Barge Podium held for complicity in oil theft to their owners in compliance with a court judgement.

    The court had convicted the crew and ruled that the stolen crude be forfeited to the federal government while the vessels be returned to their owners.

    The impounded vessels were anchored at the Naval facility Forward Operating Base (FOB) Formoso in Brass, Bayelsa.

    MV TIS IV was seized for two years while the barge was in custody for six years after they were detained for allegedly engaging in crude oil theft

    The release of the vessels followed the directive of the Naval Headquarters, in compliance with the court decision.

    The handing over which was held at a brief ceremony at the FOB, Egwema, Brass, was performed by the Commanding Officer, Navy Captain Murtala Rogo, represented by the Executive Officer, FOB, Commander Dantani Bukar.

    Speaking on the circumstances that led to the detention of the vessels, Rogo recalled that MV TIS IV was taken in on Dec 5, 2021, at a creek within Akassa River, in Bayelsa while the Barge Podium was seized on May 15, 2017, around Alaki area of Rivers State.

    He said that the MV TIS IV had a total of 17 crew members on board and it was laden with about 700,000 litres of substance suspected to be stolen crude.

    According to him, the vessel with her crew was handed over to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) for prosecution.

    He explained that the crew members were found guilty and sentenced by Federal High Court, Port Harcourt.

    “Ruling was also given by the court that the content of the vessel be forfeited to the federal government, which was evacuated by the EFCC on Feb 23 2023.

    “Furthermore, the court ordered that the vessels be released to the owners on bond. FOB Formoso was directed by the Naval Headquarters to hand over the vessel to the owner in the presence of the EFCC representatives,” he said.

    The Commander said FOB Formoso will continue to sustain the strategic directive of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, on the fight against oil theft and illegal bunkering in the maritime domain.

    He said that the Nigerian Navy is determined to ensure that the maritime domain remains secured and safe for all legitimate businesses to thrive towards fulfilment of national security objective.

  • Nigerian Navy reacts to involvement in oil theft

    Nigerian Navy reacts to involvement in oil theft

    The Nigeria Navy Headquarters, has debunked allegations in a publication that Navy personnel aboard Motor Tanker (MT) PRAISEL were aiding oil theft.

    The Navy’s Director of Information, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, said on Friday that the personnel only escorted the vessel for thorough investigation of its contents.

    Ayo-Vaughan said that MT PRAISEL is owned by a private security outfit, Tantita Security Service Limited (TSSL).

    He said TSSL was duly approved by Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to load 1,114,721 Litres of High Pour Fuel Oil (HPFO) from Greenmac Energy Storage/Tarus Jetty Koko from  July 26 to Aug. 8.

    This, he said, had been substantiated by NMDPRA.

    According to him, in line with Standard Operating Procedure and strict compliance with the NMDPRA approval, navy personnel were deployed on-board to monitor the discharge of the product by MT PRAISEL at a facility in Bonny.

    “However, on Aug. 2, TSSL claiming to act on intelligence alleged that the vessel was laden with stolen crude oil and thereafter approached an element of Operation DELTA SAFE to board the vessel in order to verify the alleged stolen product.

    “Accordingly, the NN directed the vessel to Forward Operating Base ESCRAVOS anchorage for further investigation of the product on-board.

    “The samples of the product on-board MT PRAISEL were collected on Thursday August 3, 2023 by five agencies including Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPCL), NMDPRA and also TSSL in line with laid procedures for laboratory test and verification of the claim.

    “As the lead agency in the fight against maritime crimes, the NN has always been at the vanguard of supporting every single effort to halt economic saboteurs of our country,” he said.

    The Naval Spokesman said that while it was desirable for all hands to be on deck in the fight against crude oil theft, necessary precaution must be adhered to by all stakeholders.

    This he said was to avoid unnecessary impediment to legitimate commercial activities and businesses in the maritime environment that have far reaching consequences for the nation’s economy.

    He appealed to the general public to await the laboratory test result of the product and in-depth investigations on the allegation.

    According to him, the Nigerian navy under the able leadership of Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, is poised to ensure transparency, interagency cooperation and synergy in the fight against illegalities and criminality in Nigeria’s maritime environment.

  • Dokubo’s statement on Nigerian Military unpatriotic, unfair – Lawmaker

    Dokubo’s statement on Nigerian Military unpatriotic, unfair – Lawmaker

    Rep. Philip Agbese (APC-Benue) has said that the recent statement by former Niger Delta agitator, Asari Dokubo on the Nigerian Military was unpatriotic and unfair.

    Agbese, the lawmaker representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    Agbese said it was “unpatriotic, uncharitable and unfair” for Dokubo to make such claims against a highly-revered institution like the Armed Forces.

    Dokubo had alleged that the bulk cases of oil theft recorded in the oil-rich region of Niger Delta were traceable to the military.

    The lawmaker said the Nigerian Armed Forces had proven to be professional, patriotic, and committed to protecting the nation’s territorial integrity.

    Agebese therefore said the statement was capable of demoralising troops making sacrifices daily for the peace and security of the nation.

    “I appreciate Dokubo who is my good friend for his unequivocal stand on a lot of issues but I think he missed the point on this particular subject.

    “The efforts of our military officers and men who make all the sacrifices to keep the country together should not be taken for granted.

    “If there are lapses, we expect Dokubo, as an elderstatesman, to provide relevant information and support to the troops,” he said.

  • Crude oil theft: List names of suspects, Nigerian Navy tells ex-militant Dokubo

    Crude oil theft: List names of suspects, Nigerian Navy tells ex-militant Dokubo

    … says his allegations are spurious and unguarded

     

    The Nigerian Navy has asked ex-Niger Delta militants’ leader, Asari Dokubo, to list names of military personnel involved in crude oil theft in Nigeria.

    Recall that on Friday Dokubo, had alleged that the majority of cases of oil theft recorded in the oil-rich region were traceable to the Nigerian Army and Navy.

    He revealed this on Friday while briefing State House reporters at the Aso Rock Villa after meeting with President Bola Tinubu behind in a closed door session.

    Dokubo said: “The military is at the centre of oil theft and we have to make this very clear to the Nigerian public that 99 per cent of oil theft can be traced to the Nigerian military, the Army and the Navy especially”.

    But in a swift reaction, spokesman of the Nigerian Navy, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, described the allegation as “spurious and unguarded”.

    He said oil thieves were angry because troops of Nigerian Navy and entire military have continued to deny them avenues to sabotage economy through ongoing “Operation DAKATAR DA BARAWO”.

    He maintained that the maritime armed force in collaboration with relevant stakeholders would continue to deny crude oil thieves avenues to sabotage Nigeria’s economy.

    Ayo-Vaughan, in a chat with a national newspaper, he said: “Let him bring the names. The Nigerian Navy is interested in the names of those involved because the Navy has no tolerance for any form of criminalities whatsoever, not even that height of theft as alleged by Asari Dokubo.

    “The Navy has an operation in the Niger-Delta that has been running for over one year plus to curb oil theft. Operation DAKATAR DA BARAWO has denied oil thieves more than N76billion worth of crude oil. The money that would have helped them to further increase their illegal artisanal refineries.

    “So, the Navy is actively fighting oil theft. For anybody to make such spurious allegations, bring the names. He (Dokubo) is in the Niger Delta, he has boys in the Niger Delta.

    “The company that was given a contract by the NNPC on pipeline surveillance, they are working with the Nigerian Navy and Operation Delta Safe in the Niger-Delta to curb oil theft.

    “For somebody to just make such unguarded statement, bring the names. You know that there is an operation (Operation DAKATA BARAWO) going on in the Niger Delta being run by the Nigerian Navy since April last year. The Navy has been running it in synergy with the NNPC.

    “NNPC holds regular meetings with the Chief of Naval Staff to review the operations. Just last week, the Chief Executive of NUPREC was here to have a meeting with CNS. Just two days ago, the management team for the other one on downstream regulatory authority were also here to have a meeting. For us, if you want to make such spurious allegations, bring the names. Simple.”

    Source: Daily Trust