David Adeboye, the Captain of MT KALI, the ocean-going vessel apprehended by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Bayelsa State, expressed disbelief at the manner crude oil was siphoned into the ship during the arrest last Thursday, January 12.
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At the vessel’s parade, held at Oporoza in Warri Southwest council area of Delta State on Sunday, he confirmed that 119 tonnes of stolen crude oil were loaded into the ship when the joint team of operatives raided the crime scene.
He claimed that they were directed by one Captain Niyi to lift Automated Gas Oil (AGO) otherwise known as (Diesel), not crude oil.
Adeboye said he was instructed to test run the vessel which had been anchored for over a year and had some maintenance carried out on her before the sail to Bayelsa State.
He said: “When we set out from Lagos State, the boat has been in Lagos for more than a year. They were doing some maintenance on it. So when we came out, we were instructed to test run the engine for like 10 miles. After 10 miles and we are satisfied that she can go as far as Bayelsa, then we should let them know”.
Adeboye stated that after successfully test-running the ship, he and the crew were directed to sail to Bayelsa State and return to Lagos State with AGO (Diesel), adding “That was the instruction given to us”.
However, on anchoring the vessel in Bayelsa State, contrary to the original plan of taking delivery of AGO, as also confirmed by the local agent he spoke with, crude oil was delivered instead.
He did not name the owners or agents of the vessel or the address of the contractors but insisted that it is only the management that could confirm why the supposed AGO turned out to be crude oil.
“So at which point it now turned to crude that is what I am still battling with up till now. Currently, we have 119 tonnes of crude oil on board the vessel. The agent brought his boys and at the end of the day filled the vessel with crude”, the captain said.
Speaking on the development, TSSNL Director of Operations and Technical, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, said the vessel, a crew of 12 members and some local accomplices were intercepted at about 12:25 am Thursday, stealing crude oil from one of the several platforms at Pennington Oil Field, Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa State.
He stated that both human and technical intelligence were deployed to track the vessel over time, before her eventual impoundment.
He further disclosed that the vessel had been involved in illegal oil thefts in the past.
Enisuoh opined that those campaigning against the involvement of private security companies in pipeline surveillance were bunkerers whose illegal activities were disrupted by their engagement and operations.
“We want to seize this opportunity to let Nigerians know that those who campaign against the private security companies participating in this fight are bunkerers.
“They can continue but we will not relent, we will not resist our efforts towards fighting this. We will continue to be resilient and we will assist the country in resolving this. We will assist also the Nigerian security forces, which are happy to participate in securing our assets to do this job”, he assured.
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