The NNPCL says an illegal crude oil vessel loaded with thousands of metric tonnes of crude oil has been intercepted by Tantita Security Services, a private security firm, in collaboration with the Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), while it was loading directly from an offshore platform in Bayelsa State.
It said, the Group CEO of NNPC Ltd., Mr. Mele Kyari, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, were in Oporoza, Warri, Delta State, to inspect the vessel.
The company said, during the inspection tour of the illegal vessel on Monday, General Musa reiterated that the military remains committed to working with NNPC Ltd. and other government and private security agencies to halt the menace of crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
“We are committed to stopping all acts of criminality in Nigerian waters. We are also sounding a note of warning to the perpetrators of this crime that enough is enough.“
“The country is bleeding, and we need all funds to develop as a nation. It is by stopping these acts of criminality that we will be able to achieve that dream,” he said.
We gathered that all 23 crew members onboard the illegal vessel have been arrested.
