The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has justified the destruction of MT Tura 11 as being in line with its standard operating procedure concerning arrested vessels, vehicles involved in oil theft.
The director, Defence Media Operations Major General Edward Buba stated this while fielding questions at the biweekly update on Armed Forces of Nigeria operations between 13-20 July 2023.
He said the vessel, though with 800,000 litres capacity, was loaded with 178,000 litres equivalent to 150 metric tonnes.
He said, “There are Standard Operating Procedures concerning arrested vehicles, equipment, and vessels among others that are associated with oil theft. That procedure stipulates such equipment, vehicles or vessels should be destroyed instantly.
“In the military, we work with instructions, whatever instructions we get, we operate with it. If it is reviewed, we will operate with it. We do not make the laws; we work with the law given to us”.
He stated that troops and operators of Tantita Surveillance contractors on 7 July 2023 intercepted the vessel loaded with suspected stolen crude oil and arrested 12 suspects (a Ghanaian and 11 Nigerians), adding that the vessel was arrested between the boundaries of Delta and Ondo states.
He said the vessel, MT TURA II reportedly owned by Holab Maritime Services Limited has a tank capacity of 800,000 litres.
General Buba added that the vessel was previously named Ali Rita Bey.
“Close inspection on the vessel revealed that only two compartments were partially filled with about 150 metric tonnes which is approximately 178,000 litres. This quantity is less than a quarter of the vessel”.
He averred that the vessel upon arrest was moved to Oporoza in Warri South West local government area of Delta State.
“The voyage of the vessel revealed that it originated from Lagos and was heading to the Republic of Cameroon as its destination”.
Upon interrogation, the captain of the vessel admitted to having been engaged in the same illegal activities for over four years.
“On 11 July 23, the vessel was destroyed in accordance with extant operating procedure that stipulates instant destruction of any vehicle, vessel or equipment linked with crude oil theft” he said.
He said the troops of operation Delta Safe in the period under review arrested 60 suspected oil thieves and recovered 367,200 litres of crude oil, 27,150 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 550 assorted rounds of ammunition, 12 calibers of weapons, 7 empty magazines, 17 cutlasses, 3 vehicles, 19 motorcycles and 1 dagger.
The troops equally destroyed 22 illegal refining sites, 15 wooden boats, 34 storage tanks, 96 ovens and 16 dugout pits.
